11-12-2009 Thursday President of Russia State of the Nation Address
President
Dimitry Medvedev delivered his Presidential Address to the
Federal Assembly
At the beginning of his Address,
President Medvedev stressed that Russia must achieve the
status of global power on a fundamentally new basis. The
country's prestige and national well-being, Mr Medvedev
noted, cannot be determined by past achievements. At the
cost of tremendous effort Russia became one of the most
influential industrial powers of the 20th century – in the
21st century, Russia once again requires all-round
modernisation.
President Medvedev analysed the impact
of financial crisis and economic downturn, and emphasised
that social support for Russian citizens remains a
governmental priority. He outlined what has been done in
this respect and what will be done in the future, including
increases in pensions, actions in the labour market, help
for single-industry cities, the agricultural sector,
business and financial sectors.
The President
described the economy's focus on the real needs of Russian
citizens, ensuring their safety, improving their health, and
access to energy and information as the country's main
development factors. This is what will determine the
priorities of economic modernisation and technological
development.
Dmitry Medvedev enumerated further
concrete steps in the five main directions of modernisation
which he has already laid out and for which a Presidential
Commission [for Modernisation and Technological Development
of Russia's Economy] has been established. They are the
introduction of the latest medical, energy and information
technologies, the development of space and
telecommunications systems, and dramatically improving
energy efficiency.
At the same time, President
Medvedev stressed that the Government Cabinet should
actively pursue development programmes in other sectors of
the economy as well. Dmitry Medvedev outlined concrete steps
to implement Russia's overall development strategy. They
relate to optimising the budgetary sector, supporting
science, the transition to innovative economic development,
and improving the tax system.
He paid special
attention to the development of civil society, improving the
quality of education, work in cultural spheres (especially
in remote areas), as well as strengthening the political
system. The President underlined the need to improve
democratic institutions and electoral system, as well as the
quality of popular representation in government.
A
separate part of the Address was devoted to fighting
corruption, improving the quality of the judicial system and
law enforcement.
In reference to the situation in the
North Caucasus, President Medvedev stressed that the
uncompromising struggle against international terrorism will
continue. At the same time, he pointed out that it is
necessary to combat the roots of crime in the region that
are associated with its specific socio-economic situation.
Programmes and projects designed to facilitate the
development of the region's economy are already functioning
but additional measures are required. Mr Medvedev believes
that there should be a special official that holds personal
responsibility for the situation in the North Caucasus.
In the section of the Address devoted to the Armed
Forces immediate development goals were laid out, including
new types of weapons, modern automatic command centres and
information complexes, as well as personnel training and
social support for servicemen.
With regards to
foreign policy, President Medvedev confirmed that Russia's
priority remains multipolarity, a concept which is becoming
increasingly widespread throughout the world, strengthening
the UN, and promoting a new European security treaty. Mr
Medvedev gave instructions to develop clear criteria for
evaluating the results of foreign policy activities and the
programme for effective use of foreign policy elements for
long-term national development. The President stressed that
the effectiveness of these activities should be judged by a
simple criterion: whether or not they contribute to
improving living standards in Russia.
The Annual
Address contains direct instructions to the Cabinet with
regards to, inter alia, improving the financial system,
optimising the public sector, the accelerated technological
modernisation of the electoral system, and the regime
governing the dispensation and procurement of medical drugs.
In conclusion, the President recalled next year's
forthcoming 65th anniversary of Victory in the Great
Patriotic War. We must remember and respect the past, Dmitry
Medvedev said, and work hard for a decent future.
In
his Address the President repeatedly referred to the
feedback and suggestions he received from Russian citizens
following the publication of his article Go Russia!
The full transcript of the Address to the Federal Assembly
(Russian parliament) will be published.