“We should strive to ensure that people have access to the same standard of medical care regardless of where they live in the Russian Federation, in the countryside or in big cities. Clearly, we have a long way to go, but we should strive to get there and we need a body to oversee this work.”

“We have decided to establish 5,000 Russian government educational stipends for the best students of vocational schools, lyceums, colleges and technical schools,” the prime minister said. He also suggested that businesses and regions come up with similar programmes and initiatives.

The prime minister started the meeting by noting that, in the gas sector, “we have common interests as suppliers.” He added “It is very positive that we are in constant contact and coordinate joint efforts in this sphere.”

Vladimir Putin has ordered the Government Executive Office to prepare draft instructions following the president’s address to the Federal Assembly: “Because a significant portion of the address was meant for the government, and the tasks set forth in it fall within the government’s responsibility.”