Monitoring the budgetary assets invested in the economy, countering the financing of terrorism and the fight against drug money laundering and other issues were discussed at the meeting.

The expenditure growth will amount to 120.4 billion roubles in 2008. Foreign loans are planned at 10 billion roubles. According to Mr Kudrin, the latter are tied loans, aimed at supporting Russia’s exports.

"On our agenda today are amendments to the federal budget for the current year 2008 and the plan period 2009-2010, and also amendments to the budgets of the Pension Fund, the social and medical insurance funds. Today we are to put a final seal on the proposed amendments."

The strategic goal of cooperation regarding the exports of the aerospace sector is set to introduce Russian technological segments into the manufacturing of spacecraft by foreign partners, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said when opening a meeting of the Government Commission on Export Control.

At a meeting with Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov Vladimir Putin promised to participate in the Government Hour at the Federation Council personally.

The key items on the agenda were the guidelines for the tax policy for 2009-2011 and social security.

"Judo means not only good health, strong muscles and having special techniques and skills. Judo is also generosity, tolerance, helping each other and friends. The principles of judo fully correspond to the principles of building a tolerant society."