    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [April 6, 2008]
    [Pages 471-472]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks During a Meeting With President-elect Dmitry A.
    Medvedev of Russia in Sochi
    April 6, 2008

        President-elect Medvedev. Good afternoon, Mr. President. I'm happy
    to meet you again. And I would like to once again thank you for warm
    congratulations on my election----
        President Bush. Yes, sir.
        President-elect Medvedev. ----as President of the Russian
    Federation.
        President Putin and you, over these last 8 years, did a lot to
    advance Russian-U.S. relationship. And the relationship between Russia
    and the United States is a key factor of international security. When I
    officially assume my duties, I would like to do my best to keep up----
        President Bush. And thank you.
        President-elect Medvedev. ----that direction that--our relationship,
    so there will be constructive engagement between us.
        President Bush. Yes, sir. Thank you. Look, it seems like there's a
    lot of interest in you, Mr. President-elect. You've attracted a lot of
    cameras.
        President-elect Medvedev. Surprise, surprise. [Laughter]

    [[Page 472]]

        President Bush. Yes. But I thank you for your kind words. Thank you
    for meeting with me and my delegation. And I'm looking forward to
    getting to know you, so we'll be able to work through common problems
    and find common opportunities.
        Thank you, sir.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:20 a.m. in the President's Office at the
    Bocharov Ruchei. President-elect Medvedev referred to President Vladimir
    V. Putin of Russia. President-elect Medvedev spoke in Russian, and his
    remarks were translated by an interpreter.