Interview granted by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to the French newspaper Le Figaro
"Russia is developing at a rapid pace. In 2003 I said that doubling our gross domestic product was our medium-term goal. And we are moving towards that goal: the goal will be achieved in late 2009 or, according to some other estimates, in the first quarter of 2010."
The sides focused on the implementation of Enel’s investment programmes in the Russian power industry and on the prospects of developing cooperation in new spheres in Russia and outside it.
Events for 12 september 2008
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov
Mr Putin and Mr Ivanov discussed the current situation inside the national defence industry and short-term prospects, including the current state defence order and that stipulated by the three-year defence-order budget and ways of disbursing the 67 billion rouble sum allocated for the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) programme.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko
At the meeting, Mr Putin and Mr Shmatko discussed the issues of replenishing Russia’s electric power plants with fuel for the upcoming autumn and winter season.
Events for 11 september 2008
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with members of the Valdai International Discussion Club
"We must analyse the past - he who does not know the past has no future, as is known - but we must proceed from realities. Today we have no ideological contradictions, like in the Cold War; there is no basis for a cold war."
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with South Ossetia President Eduard Kokoity
"The recognition of independence is a serious step towards normalisation of the situation in the Republic, towards resolving, above all, the issues of security and restoring the social and economic infrastructure."
Events for 10 september 2008
The meeting was devoted to measures to transfer custom clearance to the external Russian borders.
“Russia’s stance in the energy sphere is absolutely open,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. “It is based on the principles of predictability, responsibility, mutual trust, and respect for the interests of producers, consumers, and transit countries… To this end, we are prepared to continue dialogue with all partner countries and, of course, leading international associations such as OPEC.”
