Transcript of the beginning of the conversation:

Meeting with Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Dmitry Medvedev: Dr Abdullah, I am happy to meet you, and I’d like to start by wishing you success in your challenging new role.

Our countries have old ties, and I hope that we will have good contacts in order to develop diverse cooperation between Russia and your country.

Events like meetings of the heads of the SCO governments are a good chance not to just discuss regional issues but also to speak about bilateral relations. 

Abdullah Abdullah (via interpreter): Thank you very much, Prime Minister Medvedev, for the opportunity. I am happy to see you.

I haven’t been in the government in the past few years, so I haven’t had a chance to meet and talk with you, but now we can change that. Mr Putin has provided good support to the people of Afghanistan. We hope to continue to enhance our cooperation. Once again, I’m glad to have the chance to meet you.