Award ceremony at Number 10 for Royal Navy rescue team

5 October 2005

British rescuers who saved the crew of a Russian mini-submarine trapped on the Pacific Ocean floor were today presented with awards by Vladimir Putin. The two leaders then spoke about their discussions in Downing Street.

• Sub heroes honoured at Number 10

Opening statements

Tony Blair:

Good Morning everyone.  Can I say how delighted I am to have this opportunity to introduce President Putin, who is going to make an award to those that helped with the rescue of the Russian submersible off the Kamchatka Peninsula on 7 August, and I think it is very good and very kind of you to come and make this presentation today, and I know those that were engaged in the rescue are deeply honoured by the way that you are honouring them today, and once again can I say how much it indicates the cooperation between our two countries today. And let me also give my personal thanks to the men for what you did, because I know it was difficult, it was necessary, and as you can see from the President's presence here today, deeply appreciated by our Russian colleagues.

Vladimir Putin:

Dear friends, allow me to address you precisely with these words.  I have a mission of honour today to present you the government awards of the Russian Federation.  I would like to thank you for the work done, for the mission accomplished on the rescue of the Russian seamen. The work was done quickly, at a good professional level, and most importantly it succeeded.  In this regard I can't help mentioning that this year we jointly marked the 60th anniversary of VE Day - victory over Nazis.  We in Russia remember vividly remarkable examples of outstanding heroism, demonstrated by the British seamen in the operation of the so-called Northern Convoys.  And I was pleased to note that even today you have made your contribution in substantially increasing, up-lifting, and deepening, and broadening of our cooperation.  In reality you have continued the traditions which have been traditional in the relationship between our two countries for many, many years.

Thank you.

By the decree of the President of the Russian Federation, dated September 4 2005 for self-sacrifice and high professionalism, the Order has been awarded to the following gentlemen.

The Order for Maritime Achievement - Stuart Gold, Pilot, Remote Submersible,

James Fisher Rumic team.

Peter Nuttall, Pilot, Remote Submersible, James Fisher Rumic Team.

Ian Riches, Naval Commander, Naval Force, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Order of Friendship - Jonathan Holloway, Naval Captain, Naval Attaché, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Keith Hewitt, Squadron Leader, Royal Air Force, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Statements on UK-Russia discussions

Tony Blair:

Perhaps I can just very briefly, at the end of the UK-Russia Summit, just say these few words.  First of all, this has been an immensely constructive meeting with President Putin and with his colleagues. The relationship between Britain and Russia today is strong and strengthening further.  Today of course we discussed the trade and business relationships between our two countries, in particular the contribution being made by companies like BP and Shell in the energy sector, but also many other companies too.  The relationship between our two countries in respect of the energy policy of this country for the future is extremely important, and that was very clear from our conversations today, and we value Russia as a stable and effective partner for us in that energy policy for the future.

But secondly, we have just come from a meeting where we discussed issues to do with security and terrorism. Russia and the Russian people, like Britain and the British people, know the threat that this global terrorism poses.  But we also share the same spirit of determination not to be defeated by it.  We had actually a fascinating discussion just now about the dangers and the risks that are posed to us and we agreed to work closely together on counter-terrorism for the future.  And I would like to thank the President personally for his strong support on this issue.

So thank you very much Vladimir for having come here to Downing Street today.  I have really enjoyed the meetings we have had in the past couple of days.

Vladimir Putin:

Thank you very much.  I have mentioned it before, and I would like to reiterate it once again. The fact is that over the past years our relationship has been elevated to quite a high level.  It is enough to say that over the past six months the turnover between our countries has grown up by 59%.  The British companies working in Russia have now attained a new quality in their work, they not only purchase our oil, they have now moved to the realm of upstream production of oil on Russian soil, and we are talking about a very large investment and a lot of influence exerted on the international marketplace and naturally on that of Britain. 

The things we discussed with the Prime Minister today should be very pertinent for today, but also for the time to come. It should have a very positive effect for the period, let's say between 7, 10 and 15 years.  We have achieved a good level of cooperation in other fields, including that in the high tech.

We both understand the global challenges and threats of today, including that of terrorism.  And the Russian side is very satisfied with both the outcomes and with the course of our deliberations and we are appreciative for the candidness which was demonstrated by the British side's participation in the discussion of all those issues, including sensitive ones, and which was vividly demonstrated right now when discussing the problems of combating terrorism.

Mr Prime Minister has resorted to all the powers in his possession, including his family, to extend the hand of cooperation with Russia.  Now even his wife is staying in Russia, and I hope she will also do a good job there.