State Council Meeting on Implementation of the Presidents 2007 Address to the Russian Federation Federal Assembly.
December 19, 2007
The Kremlin, Moscow

Вступительное слово на заседании Государственного совета «О ходе реализации Послания Президента Российской Федерации Федеральному Собранию Российской Федерации на 2007 год»
19 декабря 2007 года
Москва, Кремль

PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN: Good afternoon, colleagues,

This meeting, the State Councils last meeting for the year, is set to examine the implementation of the 2007 Federal Addresss main provisions. We will be looking at the real results obtained so far and the methods and timeframe for reaching the objectives outlined.

As you know, important systemic objectives have been set for the coming years, and our economys continued growth and increasing competitiveness depend on our ability to reach these objectives, as does the development of a strong social policy centred on the populations interests. This is all important for ensuring Russias lasting status as a world leader. One of our objectives is demographic development, which includes strengthening the family and rearing a healthy and educated young generation.

The public considers these to be the big issues for our immediate future and the future of our countrys people. The public sees in the Federal Addresss provisions a working strategy that opens up long-term historical development prospects for our country. In the election to the State Duma on December 2, they gave their support to the political forces that are ready and able to implement this strategy.

We have discussed different provisions set out in the Address at past sessions of the State Council and its Presidium. The Government and the Federal Assembly have carried out a lot of legislative work. The regions, civil society organisations and the countrys business community have also made their contribution.

I think that through our joint efforts we have made progress in a whole number of different areas. Living standards are rising, albeit gradually. New opportunities are opening up for people to develop their own potential and take part in resolving the most important issues facing the state today.

The Russian economy is growing fast. The years results show that our GDP has grown by around 7.6 percent a decent result. Our possibilities are increasing accordingly.

This year, a number of important institutional decisions have already been taken to implement the priorities set out in the Address. The Development Bank has been set up to finance projects directly linked to making our country more competitive. Modernisation is taking place in high-technology sectors. Overall, more than 600 billion roubles have been channelled into these areas. Technology parks and technology incubation zones are being established now, the modernisation and science priorities have been defined and a fundamental scientific research programme for which more than 255 billion roubles have been allocated, has been approved.

A law on support for small and medium businesses has been passed and we are already seeing the results: more than 700,000 new jobs have been created in the small business sector over the last year.

I would like to draw the attention of the regional leaders here today to the importance of continued serious support for this programme.

I would like to say a few words separately about strengthening the political system. As you know, our central objective was to ensure a democratic election to the State Duma. This task has now been completed. The election saw the highest voter turnout in recent years more than 64 percent and the parliaments current membership received the support of the overwhelming majority of voters more than 91 percent. This means we can expect confident and effective work from the lawmakers.

The principles for the Federation Councils formation were revised during this last year, giving it stronger links with the countrys regions. Only people who have lived in a given region for at least ten years will now be able to represent that region in the Federation Council.

Important steps have also been taken in national security and law enforcement, and most importantly, we have begun to resolve the social problems that have built up over decades and that our citizens have encountered in their daily lives.

The decision was made this year that the state would co-finance voluntary pension savings accounts. I note that it is a share of our oil and gas revenues that will go towards this. I think that we should continue to carry out systemic measures to improve pension legislation and I spoke just recently about this at the United Russia party congress.