“Perhaps the most important and the most difficult thing is for the state to continue creating a favourable environment, an environment that favours innovative activities.”

“The key issue is the modernisation of coal industry enterprises and facilities. We must encourage coal companies to upgrade and create the conditions for deep processing. This focus may be no less important – and could be even more important – than the general increase in production.”

The prime minister has instructed the government to "take additional measures to extinguish the fires, to check that fire safety requirements are being met in populated areas located near woods, and to ensure that systems are in place for warning people of emergency situations."

The meeting focused on the wildfires in the region.

“The theme we are discussing is not just technological – it concerns practically all of our citizens.”

At the meeting, Dmitry Medvedev ordered federal departments and Omsk Region authorities to consider the construction of a metro system in Omsk by 2016.

“We set the target of an average mortgage rate of 5-6% a year, which practically any family can afford, provided it is earning money.”

The Prime Minister said that the experts’ opinion is important to the government “at least as an indicator of expert attitude towards our priorities and our approaches to drafting the state budget for the next few years.”