    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 36 (Monday, September 10, 2007)]
    [Pages 1190-1191]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks Following a Meeting With President Vladimir Putin of Russia in
    Sydney

    September 7, 2007

        President Putin. First of all, I would like to say that I am very
    glad to have this opportunity to meet with the U.S. President within the
    framework of the APEC summit.
        In the meeting we had today, I started with the words of gratitude
    for this fantastic and warm welcome which we enjoyed during our visit to
    Kennebunkport recently.
        We have managed to cover all the matters on our bilateral agenda and
    the key international aspects too. First of all, about the missile
    defense--we have once again said that it is necessary that our experts
    meet again very soon and make another trip to Azerbaijan to the Gabala
    radio location station. By saying this, we confirm that the process of
    our joint work on this--in this direction is underway.
        We also discussed the--Russia's WTO accession plans. We hope that
    this work will end up with positive results and these endeavors will be
    continued on the expert level too.
        We also discussed the Iranian nuclear issue. And I would like to say
    that Russia intends and is prepared to continue this work with our
    partners and colleagues within the framework of the IAEA and the United
    Nations. And I hope that a solution will be found for the benefits of
    the international community in general and the benefits of Iranian
    people in particular.
        We also covered our economic relations. We discussed some particular
    large-scale economic projects, the implementation of which is to the
    interests of the business communities on both sides, in the U.S. and in
    Russia.
        And we also discussed the environmental issues, in particular in
    connection with the forthcoming APEC summit. I should tell you that we
    have very close positions on these matters.
        I would like to thank my colleague, the President of the United
    States, for a very constructive and open dialog, which we enjoyed today.
        This gives me every hope to believe that further on the relations
    between the countries will continue to develop in the same positive
    mood.
        Thank you.
        President Bush. Vladimir, thanks. For a minute, I thought he brought
    up the Kennebunkport visit to remind me that he was the only one who
    caught the fish. But in fact, it was our--my family's great pleasure to
    welcome my friend the President of Russia to Mother and Dad's home.
        I have nothing much more to add than what Vladimir said. We did
    discuss a variety of issues that are of importance to our respective
    countries, and I found the conversation to be cordial and constructive.
    We are results-oriented people. We want to help solve problems. And we
    recognize that we

    [[Page 1191]]

    can do better solving problems when we work together.
        So I appreciate your time, appreciate your friendship, and
    appreciate the chance to dialog on important matters.
        President Putin. And we also agreed that we will enjoy fishing not
    only in the United States but somewhere in Siberia very soon.
        President Bush. Yes, sir. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:51 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel at Circular
    Quay. President Putin spoke in Russian, and his remarks were translated
    by an interpreter.