The officials discussed events planned to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Alexander Popov, Russian physicist who invented radio, and measures to encourage domestic production to replace imported IT and telecommunications equipment.

After the discussion the Commission recommended to the Government to temporarily extend (for 9 months) the current regime of duty-free import of some goods into the Russian Federation.

“Education has been brought to the fore – it became a national priority,” Mr Zubkov stressed in his speech at the ceremony.

At the meeting, Mr Putin and Mr Gertsy discussed the work of the state employment service, including the implementation of a programme to stabilise the situation on the labour market.

"We have made a calculated decision to use the available reserves on a large scale, despite a drop in budget revenues, so as to fully adhere to the Government's social commitments and to fund anti-crisis measures."

“During 2009 all the plans for the production of pork and poultry meat will be fulfilled, the credit resources will be made available and the investment projects implemented in 2007-2008 suggest that the production of pork and poultry meat can grow by 8%,” Mr Shuvalov said.

"We certainly discussed major projects, including South Stream, and have attended relevant document signings concerning the construction of the Hungarian stretch of South Stream and of a major underground gasholder in Hungary with a capacity of more than a billion cubic metres."

"As for the prospects of bilateral cooperation, I would like to say that they are not limited to energy or trade and economic relations. It is important to enhance our scientific, cultural and educational ties."