06 July 2009

Remarks by President Obama, President Medvedev Before Meeting

Leaders to discuss economy, security, energy and nuclear weapons

(begin transcript)

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

July 6, 2009

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA

AND PRESIDENT MEDVEDEV OF RUSSIA

PRIOR TO PRIVATE MEETING

The Kremlin

Moscow, Russia

2:47 P.M. (Local)

PRESIDENT MEDVEDEV: (As translated.) Mr. President, Barack, distinguished members of the American delegation, on this occasion I would like to welcome you in the Kremlin. And it is our expectation that during the deliberations we will have today and tomorrow, we'll have a full-fledged discussion of the relations between our two countries, closing some of the pages of the past and opening some the pages of the future.

So among those difficult questions our countries are tackling together are those pertaining to economy, security, and the strategic offensive armaments. And it is my hope that it will be possible for us to tackle successfully this problem jointly and to (inaudible).

So once again I'd like to welcome you and to wish you success.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you. Well, let me just thank President Medvedev and his entire delegation for their extraordinary hospitality. We are confident that we can continue to build off the excellent discussions that we had in London, and that on a whole host of issues, including security issues, economic issues, energy issues, environmental issues, that the United States and Russia have more in common than they have differences, and that if we work hard during these next few days, that we can make extraordinary progress that will benefit the people of both countries.

So we are very much looking forward to our meetings, and again I want to thank not only you, Mr. President, but the people of Russia for hosting us today. We're very glad to be in Moscow.

PRESIDENT MEDVEDEV: Even the weather favors such an intercourse between us -- since it's going to be chilly outside, and it's better to work inside.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: We might as well be inside today. (Laughter.) Although the last time I was here in Moscow, it was 80 degrees.

END  2:51 P.M. (Local)

(end transcript)