During the meeting, Mr Ivanov spoke in favour of reforming long-haul passenger train services, in particular because of their low profitability.

“During our meeting today we are to determine the main parameters of the budget and coordinate allocations to major projects while bearing in mind that our key priorities are the fulfilment of social commitments and development of healthcare, education, science, high technology and innovation.”

"As I said, the spring session of the State Duma is coming to a close. By tradition, we are meeting to discuss its results, to talk about the law-making plans and of course to exchange opinions on the topical problems of the country’s development."

The current situation in the Russian economy and its prospects for development in the near future were discussed at the meeting.

" Shell has been working in Russia for about a hundred years. Today, Shell is represented in the most diverse areas. Your company employs over 2,000 people in this country. They work in oil extraction, gas extraction, gas liquefaction, staff training, and retail; in Moscow alone, you operate a large number of petrol stations. Scientific research is another element of your operations here."

“Our relations with the World Health Organisation have been developing for a long time and very successfully. We support all of the WHO initiatives and efforts in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other socially dangerous diseases. We consider it extremely important to jointly combat alcoholism, smoking, and other habits that have a direct negative effect on people’s health.”

The Deputy Prime Minister discussed the possibility of establishing a Russian-Belgian joint enterprise to excavate the offshore area at the marine trade port of Ust-Luga.

Mr Ivanov toured the Maritime Show’s exhibition, visited the British Royal Navy frigate HMS St Albans and familiarised himself with the equipment and armament of the Russian corvette Steregushchy.

The first deputy prime minister said the Customs Union will seek the council of an international legal firm to pursue WTO accession as a single customs territory. "A delegation will be established, which in the course of a month, will agree how the accession process will proceed within the new format," Mr Shuvalov said.

"We are planning to draft a special Government programme, Accessible Environment for Disabled People in 2010, to be initiated in 2011. Allow me to emphasize that providing an accessible environment is more than building access ramps, special lifts, adapted roads and municipal transport, which are important tasks. It is no less important to adjust the rules governing the operation of our social, information and other services to the needs of physically challenged people. It is necessary to create additional opportunities for providing jobs to those who are able and willing to work."