Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the leader of the United Russia party, answered questions directed to his public reception officers or asked by telephone, in the form of text messages and through the website. The question and answer session was broadcast live by Rossiya and Vesti channels and the Mayak and Radio Russia stations.

“We are witnessing events that will go down in history not only of the domestic gas industry, but of the whole country,” Mr Zubkov said.

“The quality of life, social security and health of our compatriots cannot be estimated in terms of money, yet they remain key goals of state policy in the sphere of nanotechnology,” Mr Ivanov said at the opening ceremony of the International Nanotechnology Forum in Moscow.

"The first priority, however, is to protect the rights of investors, to form a system to compensate citizens for the damage caused by bad-faith actions of market agents. Attempts to use insider information and manipulate the market should be stopped."

The meeting discussed social and economic situation in the Yaroslavl Region.

Opening the Commission’s meeting Mr Zubkov said: “The Doctrine addresses the tasks of ensuring sustained development of rural areas, improved land and property legislation, improved quality of life for the rural population, providing incentives for agricultural work and raising the prestige of farm labour.”