Mr Putin and Mr Avdeyev discussed celebrations of the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture, and financing of the Ministry of Culture.

“Relations between our countries are developing in a very positive way. Trade is growing and so are ties practically at all levels. This is the result of efforts at every tier of authority, beginning with the Prime Minister and ending with members of Parliament. The Italian President and the Parliament’s top leadership have always paid closest attention to Russian-Italian relations.” From the text

The Commission discussed ways to resume regular fishing in international waters and areas of the world’s oceans governed by international convention, where the Russian fishing vessels can operate at a profit. It is necessary to modernize Russian fishing vessels, create conditions for the construction of new vessels, resume regular research expeditions to evaluate the resources of the world’s oceans, and actively uphold national interests in international fishing organizations.

Mr Zubkov said the Government was working on additional proposals to support the timber industry, such as to subsidise strategic companies' and other large producers' interest on loans taken with Russian lenders.

“We will draw the new Electronic Government programme to be implemented before 2015. It is all the more important during the economic and financial crisis because the implementation of relevant instruments will help us to use government resources to greater effect, and will make all our activities more effective.”

“It is highly important to encourage business to invest in new projects, in modernizing production and in cutting-edge technology. As you know, a number of practical measures have recently been taken towards this end. I am referring to the increase of bonus depreciation to 30% from 10%, the reduction of taxes on companies’ investment in R&D and technical retooling, and the lifting of VAT from the imported equipment that is not produced in Russia.”

“One of the most acute social problems in this country is a great amount of shabby and dilapidated housing. Wherever I come and meet with people, they ask me how the Government is tackling this problem today and how it plans to resolve it.”