Iran press/ Asia: At a press conference in Singapore, Putin said that he'd discussed oil prices with US President Donald Trump in Paris.
Oil prices could slightly rise or fall, but the current price is not very stable; the current oil price of $70 per barrel suits Russia, he added.
"What is now, what was just recently — somewhere around $70 — quite suits us if we keep in mind that, as you know, we have budget expenditures calculated with [the price of] $40 per barrel, and this gives us the opportunity to feel confident, to work calmly, stably, to achieve very good results that affect macroeconomics. We will almost certainly have a budget surplus this year," Putin told reporters, According to Sputnik International.
"By the way, President Trump and I discussed this in Paris, but in any case we talked about it," Putin said following a visit to Singapore.
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Vladimir Putin also had a brief meeting on Thursday with US Vice President Mike Pence on the sidelines of an international conference in Singapore. He added that he and Pence had met and discussed strategic stability.
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“Any unfriendly steps somehow affect the schedule of work, the schedule of our meetings,” Putin said when asked how a possible second wave of sanctions against Russia could affect the meeting with US President Donald Trump, due to be held at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. Putin believes that strategic stability is the key issue on the agenda of Russia-US talks.
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Putin stressed that Russia's non-participation in WEF in Davos will not affect country's economy.
"It definitely will not affect Russia's authority in world's economy. A country's authority in the world's economy depends, first of all, on its economic power, the economy's structure, results that it shows in terms of technological effectiveness, the GDP growth, macroeconomic indicators such as low inflation, small external debt, the absence of budget deficit or its minimum rate or, what is better, budget surplus, which [Russia] enjoys now," Putin indicated.
The Russian president added that the Russian authorities, in general, achieved set goals in economy.
Russia is ready to help The Syrian economy
Europe should get rid of its "phobias" and help the Syrian people if it does not want to face a new influx of migrants, Russian President Vladimir Putin further said.
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"If the international community, Europe, above all, does not want to face a new inflow of migrants, it should consider getting rid of some phobias and just help the Syrian people regardless of political affiliations, helping the political process, this is obvious," Putin said at a press conference.
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Russia is ready for full-fledged work in Syria's economy, the Russian president stressed.
Vladimir Putin hopes that joint humanitarian aid deliveries in Syria, conducted by Russia as well as France and Germany, will continue.
We have carried out some operations with France. Our transport aircraft delivered aid to Syria. I hope this work will continue, not just with France, but with other European countries as well that are all extremely interested in rebuilding Syria," the president said.
Putin urges cooperation between Russia and the ASEAN countries
Speaking at a press conference in Singapore, the Russian president stressed the fact that any politically-motivated restrictions in the economy are a hindrance and hurt everyone, including those who introduce them.
No sanctions can stop cooperation between Russia and the ASEAN countries and the development of their economies, Vladimir Putin added.
"This cannot stop development, it is ruled out, it is impossible… so cooperation will continue," Putin said following a visit to Singapore.
"There were many meetings, practically with all the partners: with the Japanese prime minister and with the Premier of State Council of China today, and the prime minister of Singapore and with the president of South Korea," Putin told reporters.
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Russia is ready to work with Japan to resolve complicated issues, including that of Kuril Islands, Vladimir Putin said.
Heads of state and government of the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Singapore on Monday for their 33rd summit and related meetings, under the theme "Resilient and Innovative."
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ASEAN, a regional bloc comprising 10 Southeast Asian nations, aims to promote intergovernmental cooperation and facilitate economic integration among its members.
It was established in August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The group later expanded to include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. 203/103
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