[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.