(RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin said Sunday he expected Russian companies to gain access to the British market.
"I hope our companies will get an opportunity to work in Britain," Putin said at a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the summit of the Group of Eight most developed nations, being held at the Constantine Palace near St. Petersburg, reports Trend.
Putin said economic cooperation, as the main element of bilateral cooperation between Russia and Great Britain, was developing dynamically, and had grown by 40% in 2005.
"The activity of British companies is increasing. I hope our companies will also have an opportunity to work in Britain. As far as I understand, we [Russia and Great Britain] are interested in such a dynamic development of bilateral ties," the president said.