News

A Russian-Guatemalan summit meeting will take place on March 22, 2010.

The visit is taking place at Dmitry Medvedev’s invitation.

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Work on drafting a new treaty on strategic offensive arms reductions was the main subject of discussion at the meeting. Negotiations on the treaty are proceeding in accordance with the Russian and US presidents’ instructions on linking the strategic offensive arms and missile defence issues.

Mr Medvedev and Ms Clinton also discussed current international affairs, including the Iranian nuclear programme in the context of further work with the six-party format, the Middle East peace process, with the emphasis on finding ways to facilitate a resumption of Palestinian-Israeli talks, and efforts to stabilise the situation in Afghanistan.

Russia and the USA agreed at the meeting to step up their cooperation on modernising Russia’s economy and helping it to make the transition to an innovative development track.

Ms Clinton was in Moscow to take part in a Quartet meeting on the Middle East peace process together with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Quartet special representative Tony Blair, and EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton.

Ms Clinton and Mr Lavrov are responsible for coordinating the Presidential Commission on Cooperation, which was established following US President Barack Obama’s visit to Moscow in July 2009. The coordinators held their first meeting in Moscow in October 2009, and this was followed by a meeting between Mr Medvedev and Ms Clinton.      

Meeting with President of the United States Barack Obama, April 1, 2009

Talks between Dmitry Medvedev and President of the United States Barack Obama, July 6, 2009

Meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, October 13, 2009

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The President said that he has approved the Principles of state policy of the Russian Federation on development of the defence industry through to 2020 and beyond.

Mr Ivanov said that 1,729 enterprises listed on the defence industry register will take part in carrying out the programme. The priority over the next 3-4 years will be to develop the radio-electronic sector.

Mr Medvedev said that paying close attention to the quality of goods produced must be part of the efforts to develop the defence industry, and noted that the price/quality ratio is one of Russia’s competitive advantages in military technical cooperation with other countries.

Beginning of Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov

Meeting with the Security Council on the National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation through to 2020 and the measures necessary to implement it, March 24, 2009

Signing an Executive Order on Russia's National Security Strategy through to 2020, May 13, 2009

Meeting on the defence industry's development, October 26, 2009

Signing the Military Doctrine and the Principles of State Nuclear Deterrence Policy to 2020, February 5, 2010

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The significance of student olympics, a system of incentives and encouragement for students and young academics, the Our New School initiative, and the Russian leadership’s decision to modernise the economy were among the subjects discussed.

The President announced that a new science and technology centre for the development and commercialisation of advanced technologies, whose creation was decided upon recently, will be built in Skolkovo nearby Moscow.

Beginning of Meeting with Winners of International School and Student Olympics and University Students who Hold Presidential Scholarships

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Social and economic situation in the region was the subject of discussion.

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Dmitry Medvedev and Ban Ki-moon exchanged views on current cooperation between Russia and the United Nations and on relevant international issues, particularly a Middle East settlement, overcoming the effects of the global financial crisis and combating climate change.

The UN Secretary-General is in Moscow to attend a meeting of the Quartet of international mediators for a Middle East peace settlement.

Beginning of Meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

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The district’s social and economic development was the subject of discussion.

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National social and economic development was the subject of discussion.

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The two presidents discussed the first stage of implementing important agreements reached during the Russian-Ukrainian summit in Moscow, and outlined the next steps to take in this area.

The two leaders noted that Russia’s and Ukraine’s ministries and agencies, as well as their respective business communities should all work actively on building up cooperation in order to prepare more effectively for the Russian President’s planned visit to Kiev in May this year to take part in a meeting of the bilateral intergovernmental commission.

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The President noted at the meeting that Russia remains committed to its chosen strategy of reducing hydrocarbon emissions into the atmosphere despite the unclear prospects for an international agreement on climate change.

Mr Medvedev stressed that although there is no common forecast and precise scenario for climate change, Russia needs to be ready for any development in events. The President noted the importance of establishing new financial and institutional mechanisms and incentives for companies to modernise their technology, and also singled out the need to pay attention to regions with severe climatic conditions, in particular the Arctic areas, which are absolutely crucial for studying the causes and consequences of climate change.

President Medvedev also said it is important to maintain involvement in the international negotiation process and help obtain the drafting of a global climate agreement that is in Russia’s sustainable development interests.

Mr Medvedev set the Government deadlines for submitting a package of measures to implement the Climate Doctrine approved at the end of 2009, proposing steps for the development of the Arktika multipurpose space system for climate change monitoring, drafting a single plan for scientific research in this area, and adopting a strategy in meteorology and related fields through to 2030.

Opening Remarks at Security Council Meeting on Climate Change

Signing an order approving the Russian Federation Climate Doctrine, December 17, 2009

Addressing the plenary session of the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, December 18, 2009

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The meeting will take place in Volgograd and the subject on the agenda will be preparations for celebrating the 65th anniversary of victory in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War.

The Pobeda (Victory) Steering Committee was established by Presidential Executive Order in 2000 to carry out work aimed at strengthening patriotism, raising Russia’s international prestige, and addressing the problems of veterans of the Great Patriotic War, veterans of military operations on the territory of the Soviet Union and other countries, and civil service veterans.

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Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Yakunin discussed the development of high-speed rail in Russia and preparations for this summer's rail traffic.

Mr Yakunin briefed the President on the operation of high-speed Sapsan train on Moscow-St Petersburg line and on a joint project with Finland to launch high-speed train en route from St Petersburg to Helsinki.

Dmitry Medvedev said that he had signed an executive order on measures to develop high-speed rail transport in Russia, and that the Government Cabinet had been given corresponding instructions. The order also specifies priority measures to implement this project, mechanisms and terms of budgetary allocations, as well as opportunities to attract extra-budgetary funding.

According to the order, Russian Railways will assume full responsibility for high-speed rail infrastructure development.

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Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Pronichev discussed measures to improve the technology intensiveness of national borders.

Mr Medvedev stressed the need to further improve the technological element of border troops, as well as modernise the very image of the Border Guard Service. The President said that in this connection he has submitted to the State Duma a draft bill that amends and clarifies certain wordings in the Federal Law on the State Border of the Russian Federation.

Beginning of Meeting with Head of Russia's Border Guard Service Vladimir Pronichev

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The President reviewed the execution of instructions he had given in 2009. Members of the Government Cabinet and regional governors reported on their implementation.

Four areas in which presidential instructions were given were reviewed. Firstly, the realisation of the Information Society Development Strategy in Russia and the introduction of so-called e-government, whereby government services will be available online. Secondly, the future of public corporations, the improvement of their activities and their potential transformation into joint-stock companies. Thirdly, the selection and financing of investment projects in the North Caucasus. And finally, the provision of housing for orphans.

Noting the efficiency of such meetings, the President stressed that they should become regular.

During the videoconference reports were made by: Head of the Presidential Control Directorate Konstantin Chuychenko, adviser to the President Leonid Reiman, deputy prime ministers Sergei Sobyanin, Alexander Khloponin and Alexander Zhukov, Minister of Telecommunications and Mass Communications Igor Shchegolev, Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina, Prosecutor General Yury Chaika, CEO of the Russian Nanotechnology Corporation (RUSNANO) Anatoly Chubais, as well as Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region Valery Shantsev  and Governor of Novosibirsk Region Viktor Tolokonsky.

Opening Remarks at Meeting on Overseeing Execution of Presidential Instructions

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The President discussed preparations for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics with the athletes.

Speaking about the results of the Vancouver Olympics, Dmitry Medvedev noted that a number of personnel decisions have already been taken regarding those responsible for sports management in Russia, and said that the Presidential Council for Sport would meet soon to settle issues concerning, above all, the country’s sports federations.

The most important thing now, the President said, is for Russia to set its sights firmly on preparing for the next Olympics in order to present its best team and put on its best performance.

Mr Medvedev also addressed his best wishes for success to Russia’s Paralympic team, currently performing well at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics.

Speech at Ceremony Presenting State Decorations to Medal Winners at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

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The presentation ceremony took place in the Grand Kremlin Palace’s St George Hall. Taking part in the ceremony were 45 senior officers representing practically all of the countries’ law enforcement and security agencies and armed forces.

Speech at Meeting with Officers Appointed to Command Positions and Promoted to Senior Military (Special) Rank

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The President met with Mr Alferov, vice president of the Russian Academy of Sciences and winner of the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physics, presented him with a state decoration, and discussed scientific development in Russia with him.

Mr Alferov was awarded the Order for Services to the Fatherland, IV degree, by Presidential Executive Order, thus becoming a full cavalier of this order, which has four degrees.

Beginning of Meeting with Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Winner of the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physics Zhores Alferov

Meeting with senior management of Russian Academy of Sciences and representatives of the scientific community, December 15, 2009

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The two leaders continued what has become a regular exchange of views on progress in the final stage of drafting a new strategic arms reduction treaty.

Both presidents said they were happy with the high level of agreement reached on the draft treaty’s main provisions and declared that talk can now begin on specific dates for the draft treaty to be submitted to them for signature. Mr Medvedev and Mr Obama agreed to give additional instructions in this respect to the delegations at the talks, and also discussed plans for upcoming bilateral contacts.

The two presidents also looked at Russian-American cooperation on current international issues.

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The message reads, in part:

“Russia strongly condemns the brutal and cynical actions of these extremists and confirms its readiness to actively participate in the international community’s collective efforts to counter the global threat of terrorism.

Mr President, please convey our sincere sympathy and compassion to the families and friends of the victims and our wishes for a speedy recovery to those who were wounded in these terrorist acts.”

A series of terrorist attacks on the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Oghi left more than two hundred people injured or killed.

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During a working meeting with Mr Kozak, the President asked the deputy prime minister to carry out an audit in the municipalities where housing and utilities sector rates have increased, assess how justified these increases are, and discuss the situation with regional governors.

In cases where it is established that rates were raised without justification, the heads of the regions and municipalities concerned must act to reduce them.

Mr Medvedev said that not only the Federal Tariff Service, but also other agencies, in particular the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service and Prosecutor General’s Office should be involved in monitoring the situation in this area.

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With Chile still experiencing earthquakes, the President instructed Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu to continue providing all necessary aid to the country’s people.

The Emergency Situations Ministry, following an instruction from Mr Medvedev, has already sent a plane with a mobile hospital on board to Chile.

The President gave an earlier instruction to the ministry to provide humanitarian aid to Chile’s people following the devastating earthquake that struck the country.

Instructing Russian Emergency Situations Ministry to provide humanitarian aid to Chile, March 2, 2010

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