SOCHI, January 3 (Itar-Tass) -- Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin had a tea party after some skiing at a highland ski resort near the Polyana Hotel on Saturday.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ski in the Krasnaya Polyana ski resort near Sochi January 4, 2009. Picture taken January 4, 2009. REUTERS/RIA Novosti/Pool (RUSSIA)

The Russian president and the premier went some skiing and had a long conversation with holidaymakers after that. People offered New Year congratulations to the president and the prime minister and wished them strong health and happiness.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sit on a lift in the Krasnaya Polyana ski resort near Sochi January 4, 2009. Picture taken January 4, 2009. REUTERS/RIA Novosti/Pool (RUSSIA)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R) skies in the Krasnaya Polyana ski resort near Sochi January 4, 2009. Picture taken January 4, 2009. REUTERS/RIA Novosti/Pool (RUSSIA)

The Polyana Hotel Complex was commissioned in 2007. Currently the third block of the hotel complex is preparing for commissioning in order to increase the number of rooms to 300 at the hotel. Olympic sites will be built on the ski routes next to the hotel.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin talk during a skiing holiday in the Krasnaya Polyana ski resort near Sochi January 4, 2009. Picture taken January 4, 2009. REUTERS/RIA Novosti/Pool (RUSSIA)

During the tea party Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak (he is in charge of the preparations to the Sochi Olympics-2014 – Itar-Tass) and Governor of the Krasnodar Territory Alexander Tkachev joined Medvedev and Putin.

Meanwhile, Medvedev paid the bill after the tea party.

“The president pays for everything,” Putin joked.

“My work is as such,” the president answered.

Itar-Tass
03.01.2009, 17.32