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June 1, 2010
Tuesday
EU-Russia summit has taken place in Rostov-on-Don.
The 25th EU-Russia summit announced practical launch of the Partnership for Modernisation initiative.
In the joint statement issued following the meeting, the sides noted the need to modernise economies and societies, stated the commitment of Russia and the EU to a joint search for answers to the challenges of current times, as well as their interest in strengthening their trade and economic partnership.
In the document, the priorities in cooperation within the Partnership for Modernisation initiative were named as investment, innovation, small and medium-sized businesses development, technical regulations and standards harmonization, intellectual property protection, energy efficiency, judicial system effectiveness, fighting corruption, and strengthening dialogue with civil society.
An agreement between the Government of Russia and the European Union on the protection of classified information was also signed.
During the working meeting, various aspects of cooperation between Russia and the EU were discussed, as well as current issues on the regional and international agenda, including measures to overcome the global financial crisis, global and European security, Iran’s nuclear programme, and the Middle East settlement.
Following the meeting, President Dmitry Medvedev, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, and President of the Council of Europe Herman Van Rompuy gave a joint news conference.
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May 28, 2010
Friday
Russia has no choice but to modernise its economy and social sphere.
Dmitry Medvedev made this statement at a meeting with the core group of the United Russia political party.
The President said that the country has been on the right development track over these last years. It has strengthened the state’s foundation, defined the basic economic principles, and built the framework for the country’s political system. But progress has not been as rapid as hoped, Mr Medvedev said, and the time has now come to change the development paradigm.
Developing a high-technology economy is the main task on the country’s modernisation agenda, the President said. Modernisation needs to be rapid and of a high quality, and must be attractive for ordinary people and for business.
Mr Medvedev also said that he has sent the new START Treaty signed with the USA to the parliament for ratification, and called on the United Russia members, the State Duma and the Federation Council to give the treaty their attention and ratify it simultaneously with their counterparts in the United States.
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May 27, 2010
Thursday
Consolidated state policy is required to address environmental problems.
This was announced by Dmitry Medvedev at a State Council Presidium meeting on reform of the state management in environmental protection.
Protection of the environment and related activities are governed today by a number of isolated and at times contradictory laws, the President said. Besides, the country still lacks an integrated system of state monitoring of the environment. According to the President, a consolidated state policy is required to address environmental problems. First and foremost, codification of legislation should be completed, a plan of specific steps should be drafted, and a package approach in legislative acts preparation should be employed.
Mr Medvedev set a number of crucial goals in environmental protection. The rationing of the negative impact on the environment should be improved, the businesses should be enticed through offering manufacturers evident benefits from employing advanced technologies, and strict liability for environmental offences should be introduced.
Dmitry Medvedev stressed that observance of environmental protection legislation must become a standard practice.
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May 25, 2010
Tuesday
Dmitry Medvedev discussed the investment climate in Russia and the country's innovation potential with heads of US venture capital funds.
The meeting particularly focused on ways to attract investment in high-tech projects and the prospects of Russia’s scientific and technological sector for development and commercialisation of new technology at Skolkovo.
The President noted in particular the importance of joint projects with foreign investors in such sectors as biomedical technology, energy efficiency, space and nuclear industries.
Taking part in the meeting were 22 heads of US venture capital funds and Special Aide to the US President on national security Michael McFall. On the Russian side, the meeting was attended by First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Vladislav Surkov, Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina, and Head of the Presidential Experts Directorate Ilya Lomakin-Rumyantsev.
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May 24, 2010
Monday
The share of modern arms in the Russian armed forces should reach at least 30 percent by 2015.
Dmitry Medvedev set this goal at a meeting on the country’s law enforcement, security and armed forces budget.
The President said that money must be invested in modernising the armed forces. The tasks include stepping up deliveries of new weapons to the troops, replacing outdated equipment, and completing the transition to digital communications by 2012.
The President also noted that the government-drafted arms programme for the period until 2020 must be analysed and approved by the end of the year.
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May 21, 2010
Friday
Dmitry Medvedev visited Moscow Military District Operation and Tactical Command Centre and held a meeting on the current state and development prospects of Russia's military communications systems.
All outdated analogue systems should be replaced with digital systems as part of the programme to establish a common command system for troops and weapons at tactical level by 2012. This applies above all to military units in the North Caucasus Military District, the President said.
Mr Medvedev noted that his Annual Address to the Federal Assembly set the task of establishing automated command and information centres throughout the Armed Forces. Armed Forces units are now receiving new generation communications technology as part of the modernisation being carried out under the State Arms Programme for 2007-2015. Multifunctional communications systems are a vital component in combat readiness and are extremely important for command bodies responsible for strategic planning, and for commanders at all levels, the President stressed.
Dmitry Medvedev said that IP telephony, videoconferencing, and electronic document processing must all become integral parts of the Armed Forces’ operation.
The President also set the task of making most effective use of the GLONASS satellite navigation system for coordinating troops in real time and said that satellite reception devices should be built into field communications equipment and installed on military vehicles.
At the Moscow Military District headquarters Mr Medvedev was briefed on internet projects to publish archive materials related to the Great Patriotic War. The President heard reports from the head of the Moscow Military District’s Engineering Corps and the Baltic Fleet commander via videoconference.
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May 20, 2010
Thursday
Dmitry Medvedev met with President of Namibia Hifikepunye Pohamba.
The talks were held in restricted and expanded formats. The most important joint projects, particularly in energy, transport, and mining sectors and some issues on the international agenda were discussed.
In his press statement, President Medvedev particularly noted such areas of cooperation as joint exploration of uranium deposits, the construction in Namibia of two hydroelectric stations and a fertilizer plant, and the reconstruction of railways. Dmitry Medvedev also noted the cooperation in the field of education, in particular, education of Namibian students in Russia and rendering assistance to the University of Namibia through teaching staff exchanges and provision of laboratory equipment.
Following the meeting, a number of agreements were signed in the presence of both presidents on cooperation in education, tourism, fishing industry, and on reciprocal protection of rights to results of intellectual activities, which have been obtained and are used within the framework of bilateral military technical cooperation.
The sides also signed a memorandum on cooperation in exploration and mining of uranium.
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