"There is no need to describe the damage done to the hydroelectric dam. You have seen it with your own eyes. I would only like to thank you all for your courage and outstanding professionalism, and to celebrate your heroic efforts, which started in the very first hours after the accident and never stopped for one minute as long as they were still needed."

“The investigation of the reasons for the accident has not been completed yet. I would not like to make premature statements, as this could influence the results of the investigation. It is above all for specialists, who, I hope, will work professionally, and reach their conclusions. A decision has been made to speed up the construction of the onshore spillway. I spoke about it during the meeting at the Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant. As much as 4.3 billion roubles will be allocated from the Government’s reserve for this purpose this year.”

Mr Putin and Mr Shuvalov discussed the effectiveness of anti-crisis measures as well as the current state of national economy.

“Today, a year after the start of the crisis, we are seeing the first signs of economic recovery, and we justifiably expect that the Russian economy will start gradually improving in 2010. I hope that the GDP will grow, even if just a little. The Ministry of Economic Development predicts growth of 1.6%.”

“The recent tragedy, the accident at the Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant, is another obvious reminder of the fact that we must pay particular attention to energy safety. In a broader context, we must focus on technological production standards, which remain inadmissibly low. We have to pay for our negligence with money and, unfortunately, with human lives.”

“As you know, there is a proposal to launch a wide range of events in 2010 in connection with the Year of France in Russia and, reciprocally, the Year of Russia in France. Experts say there could be 130 cultural events alone. The idea is worth discussing today.”