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Social and economic situation in the region, in particular the situation in the labour market, was the subject of discussion.

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The draft bill aims to implement the provisions of the Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly of November 12, 2009 regarding the adoption of laws by regional legislatures to ensure equal coverage in the media of the activities of parties represented in regional legislative (representative) bodies of power.

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According to current legislation, the party with a majority in the regional legislature presents gubernatorial candidates to the President. United Russia benefits from such a majority in Kemerovo Region. On March 1 United Russia leaders presented the President with a list of three candidates for regional governor, including the candidacy of Aman Tuleyev, who has been Governor of the region since 1997. His current term expires on April 20.

Meeting with leaders of the United Russia political party, March 1, 2010

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President Dmitry Medvedev and King Abdullah II discussed various issues of bilateral cooperation, pressing topics on the international agenda, and regional problems.

In particular, the two leaders discussed prospects of bilateral cooperation in the economic and defence sectors, as well as humanitarian cooperation. Special attention was paid to the subject of a Middle East settlement.

Beginning of Meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan

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The President of Russia's message reads, in part:

"I know that the beginning of your important tenure as state leader coincides with a number of serious challenges Chile is facing as a result of natural disasters. I would like to again express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, my sympathy to everyone affected by the disaster, and to once again confirm Russia's willingness to continue to provide all necessary assistance in the earthquake's aftermath.

Our countries are linked by long-standing relations of friendship and cooperation, which have been developing dynamically in recent years. We are ready to expand fruitful cooperation with Chile in political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres, as well as to increase mutual investments. I am convinced that together we can find the quickest way to implement new joint projects in such promising areas as energy, mining, the metallurgical industry, transport and telecommunications."

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The relevant intergovernmental agreement was signed in Moscow on October 26, 2005.

It is designed to create the conditions for effective cooperation between Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states in conducting international humanitarian and rescue operations, and also provides for mutual assistance in disaster relief and assistance in facilitating the transit of groups passing through the territories SCO members, and involved in disaster management in SCO countries or other ones.

The agreement defines, inter alia, the principles and forms of cooperation in this regard, as well as procedures governing the preparation and conduct of rescue operations. It also specifies the regime applicable to border crossings of SCO member states by groups providing disaster relief, as well as regulates the stay of such groups in a given country.

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Social and economic situation in the region was the subject of discussion, in particular the employment situation and wage arrears.

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In his remarks at the meeting, the President noted that not only have humanitarian contacts started developing more actively in the CIS of late, but integration processes have also picked up the pace. This creates a high demand for exchange of information.

Mr Medvedev said that relations in this area should be built on a non-ideological, pragmatic and equal basis.

The meeting’s participants briefed the President on work to implement his instruction to put in place the conditions for CIS countries’ national television channels to commence broadcasting in Russia. This work concerned the necessary technical solutions and financial aspects. The meeting noted that there is a high degree of interest in these kinds of information exchanges.

Mr Medvedev proposed moving on to concrete talks with the broadcasters concerned. At the same time, Russia expects that these broadcasting exchanges will follow a balanced and parity-based approach, the President said.

Beginning of Meeting on CIS Countries’ Information Presence in Russia

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Mr Medvedev and Mr Putin discussed the social and economic situation in the country.

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The President received an open letter from cultural figures following the two doctors’ tragic death in a car accident in central Moscow. The accident has caused a strong public reaction.

Mr Medvedev asked Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev to investigate the tragedy and report on all the circumstances involved.

Two cars, a Citroen and a Mercedes, collided head-on on Leninsky Prospekt on February 25. Olga Alexandrina, the Citroen’s driver, died at the scene. Her passenger, Vera Sidelnikova, died later in hospital. Anatoly Barkov, a vice president at LUKOIL oil company, who was in the Mercedes, was hospitalised.

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The President called the establishment of a national payment system a strategic issue that is part of the effort needed to develop an international financial centre in Russia.

Establishing a high-quality and high-performance national payment system is crucial for the success of Russia’s overall financial strategy, providing the public with quality service and protecting them from negative factors affecting the financial situation, Mr Medvedev said at the meeting.

The President said that the system’s development needs to take international agreements into account, including the agreement on the Customs Union between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan and the future Common Economic Space.

Creation of a national payment system was discussed in December 2009, at a joint meeting of the State Council and the Council for Information Society Development chaired by Mr Medvedev.

Opening Remarks at Meeting on Economic Issues

Joint session of the State Council and the Council for the Development of the Information Society, December 23, 2009

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The law amends the Federal Law On Procedures for Exit from and Entry to the Russian Federation.

The amendments concern Russian citizens’ choice of the type of foreign travel passport (either a regular passport valid for five years, or a biometric passport with an electronic data storage chip, valid for ten years), and the procedures for issuing such passports to Russian citizens.

The Federal Law is also supplemented by a provision which states that the head of a Russian Federation diplomatic mission or consular office can decide to issue a foreign citizen a Russian entry visa based on a written application submitted by a Russian citizen seeking to enter Russia together with his family members who are foreign citizens.

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The law amends the Federal Law On Electrical Energy. Under the amendments, thermal power stations using accompanying gas or its processed products as their main fuel will be granted priority access to Russia’s wholesale electricity market.

Implementation of these new provisions will help to reduce the negative effects of gas flaring on the environment.

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Organisational issues concerning the establishment of a centre to promote research and scientific investigations, and commercialise their results, were the subjects of discussion.

The meeting was attended by First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, First Deputy Chief of Staff of Presidential Executive Office Vladislav Surkov, deputy prime ministers Alexei Kudrin and Sergei Sobyanin, presidential aides Arkady Dvorkovich and Larisa Brychyova and CEO of the Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies (RUSNANO) Anatoly Chubais.

Opening Remarks at Meeting on Establishment of Modern Research Centre in Russia

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After the meeting the President of Russia and the Prime Minister of Sweden attended the signing of a number of bilateral documents: on the energy cooperation, between Russia’s Ministry of Energy and Sweden’s Ministry of Economy and Energy; on the fight against organised crime, between the two country’s Prosecutor Generals’ Offices; along with intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in healthcare and social welfare, culture and arts, and in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.
Following the talks Dmitry Medvedev and Fredrik Reinfeldt made press statements and answered journalists’ questions.

News Conference following Russian-Swedish Talks

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King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah II will visit Russia on March 10–11, 2010 at President Medvedev’s invitation.

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Mr Medvedev also noted that Russia is ready to provide any necessary assistance in the disaster relief effort.

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The head of the FSB reported on the investigation of the Nevsky Express train bombing and the results of a special counter-terrorist operation in Ingushetia.

The bombing of the Nevsky Express took place on November 27, 2009 killing 27 people.

Beginning of Meeting with Director of Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov

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The President discussed with teachers problems in today’s schools, teachers’ attitudes to various kinds of innovations in high schools, the current system for assessing students’ knowledge and the working conditions of teachers.

Before that conversation the President inspected the school, visited physical education and computer classes, as well as the school museum.

Mr Medvedev congratulated all female teachers on the upcoming holiday, International Women’s Day on March 8.

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Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Viktor Yanukovych on his election as President of Ukraine, wished him success, and said he hopes that relations between the two countries will now grow and become closer on a basis of goodwill and pragmatism.

The two leaders discussed opportunities for developing ties in all different areas, looking particularly at cooperation in the gas sector, the energy industry in general, infrastructure, aircraft manufacturing, and the space sector.

Humanitarian ties, regional cooperation, political cooperation and the upcoming 65th anniversary of victory over Nazism, which both countries will celebrate, were also on the agenda.

The two presidents issued a joint declaration following their talks.

The two leaders agreed to hold a meeting of the Russian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission in the first half of 2010 in order to step up bilateral ties in various sectors.

Mr Medvedev and Mr Yanukovych made press statements and answered questions from the media following the talks.

Beginning of Meeting with President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych

News Conference following Russian-Ukrainian Talks

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The meeting summed up the results of the Defence Ministry’s work in 2009 and clarified its objectives for 2010.

In his remarks at the meeting, the President gave an assessment of work undertaken so far to develop Russia’s Armed Forces. Russia has now achieved its goal of establishing combat capable forces with the number of servicemen now standing at one million. Equipment is being modernised gradually throughout the Armed Forces. The Government has been set the task of increasing the rate at which arms and equipment are upgraded by 9-11 percent a year, which will bring the share of new arms and equipment in the Armed Forces to 70 percent by 2020. Work is also underway on providing the Armed Forces with automated control centres and information systems.  

Mr Medvedev said that priorities for the Defence Ministry include raising the prestige of serving in the Armed Forces, improving training, and ensuring better social support for veterans, servicemen and their families. The Defence Ministry also has a lot of work to prepare for the upcoming celebrations of the 65th anniversary of victory over Nazism. 

The President said that he plans to attend the main events at the Vostok-2010 strategic military exercises.

On the subject of Russia’s defence policy, Mr Medvedev said that Russia has no need to increase its nuclear deterrent capability, yet the possession of nuclear weapons remains a determining condition for Russia to be able to pursue independent policies aimed at maintaining peace and preventing military conflicts.

The President also noted that talks with the USA are now very close to reaching agreement on a new START treaty. Full-scale contacts with NATO have also resumed.

During a break in the meeting Dmitry Medvedev met with military districts and naval fleets commanders. Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Nikolai Makarov also took part in the meeting.

Speech at Expanded Meeting of the Defence Ministry Board

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In particular, the President considers the resignation of President of the Russian Olympic Committee Leonid Tyagachev to be normal reaction to comments by Mr Medvedev and Russian sports fans.

Dmitry Medvedev instructed the Government Cabinet to involve non-governmental organisations in discussing the situation and draft proposals for reforming the sports management system in Russia.

Following the Olympic Games in Vancouver, President Medvedev demanded that conclusions be made regarding the unsuccessful performance of Russian athletes.

A few days ago, the situation was also discussed at the President’s meeting with the leadership of the United Russia party.

Meeting with leaders of the United Russia political party, March 1, 2010

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As part of a regular exchange of views on topical issues of bilateral cooperation and interaction in international affairs, the two leaders discussed preparations for their upcoming meetings, in particular the informal CIS summit in Moscow on May 8, the participation in celebrations of the 65th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and plans for the President of Turkmenistan’s visits to various Russian regions.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov reaffirmed his invitation for Dmitry Medvedev to make an official visit to Turkmenistan, the dates of which will be agreed through diplomatic channels.

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Automobile and pharmaceutical industries’ development prospects in the region, the situation in the labour market, as well as the feasibility of implementing innovative projects by small and medium-sized businesses were the subjects of discussion.

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In his speech, the President outlined several priorities for the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The first of these is ensuring effective coordination among all law enforcement agencies in combating crime, taking into account the ongoing reform of the Interior Ministry and amendments to criminal and criminal procedure law.

Another challenge is linked to the global economic crisis and related social problems such as unemployment. The situation in the labour market requires that the execution of employment laws and labour laws in general be carefully supervised, Mr Medvedev said.

The President raised the issue of economic crime. In particular, he stressed the need to audit usage of public funds allocated to support the industries.

According to Mr Medvedev, efforts to ensure the freedom of entrepreneurship and reduce the number of inspections of medium and small businesses must become more effective. At the same time, the President noted that the opposite extreme is also unacceptable.

President Medvedev focused separately on the issue of combating corruption, stressing in particular the importance of assessing legislative acts insofar as exposure to corrupt practices is concerned. The President said that he will soon hold a meeting of the Presidential Council for Countering Corruption to consider a national strategy in this field.

Opening Remarks at Meeting of Prosecutor General's Office Board

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Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Sergei Bagapsh on his birthday. The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the close and trusting nature of their contacts and the steady development of the friendly bilateral interstate ties, a landmark moment in which was the recent official visit of the President of Abkhazia to Russia.

President Medvedev pointed out that today is marked by mourning the news of the passing of the first President of Abkhazia, Vladislav Ardzinba. Dmitry Medvedev expressed his sincere and heartfelt condolences to Sergei Bagapsh and the people of Abkhazia.

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The two leaders discussed pressing issues of bilateral cooperation and plans for various multilateral activities in the first half of 2010, including the informal CIS summit in Moscow on May 8, the participation in celebrations of the 65th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation summit in St Petersburg in June, and the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

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