Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Vladimir Milovidov, head of the Federal Financial Markets Service

Mr Putin and Mr Milovidov discussed the situation on the Russian financial market, its trends and problems, as well as draft laws crucial for that sphere of activities.

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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin holds a meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov

In the course of the meeting, Mr Putin and Mr Shuvalov discussed the Customs Union and its work, the government’s anti-crisis measures, and Russia’s entry into the World Trade Organization. “The first meeting of the Customs Union Commission marks a completely new departure in the integration effort. We must remember that it is the first supra-national body set up on the post-Soviet space.” Vladimir Putin

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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Berl Lazar, Chief Rabbi of Russia

During the conversation, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin thanked Chief Rabbi Berl Lazar for the consistent efforts of Jewish organizations in Russia to preserve the memory of the victims of Nazism and counter historical revisionism.

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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the development of the North Caucasus Federal District

«The government must prove that it is capable of guaranteeing security, justice and the rule of law. It must provide stability, strengthen interregional accord and interfaith relations. We need to achieve a decisive watershed in the economic and social development of the North Caucasus.»

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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin defends the political process at a meeting of the State Council

"In Russia we have always proceeded from the assumption that we need stability in the political system, but one that is sensitive to the changes at home and abroad. And this political system must certainly guarantee our sovereignty… The government of the Russian Federation will continue conducting consultations on vital issues with all opinions represented in the Duma and in the country in general. We are actively doing this while preparing to adopt the budget and will improve these mechanisms in working on other issues as well."

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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin chairs a government meeting on nuclear energy, natural resources and provision of housing for the earthquake victims

Cabinet members discussed a draft of the federal targeted programme on nuclear energy technology to consolidate Russia’s position in this high tech economic sector of the world market, amendments to the law on natural resources, and the provision of housing for the victims of the earthquake in Nevelsk on Sakhalin Island.

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Vladimir Putin holds a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister – Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin

The two men discussed effective use of budget assets, including the instrument of a long-term targeted programme.

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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Chairman of the Pension Fund Anton Drozdov

"Higher pensions are bound to be welcomed by all recipients, pensioners above all. However, as you and I have agreed, this work should be carried out smoothly. Not a single person should be left out in the cold."

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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on establishing the Kurchatov Institute research centre

"The Kurchatov Institute is designed to serve as a model for organising all national research centres. As you may recall, we plan to set up five to seven such centres. <…> In effect, we will introduce entirely new elements into the formation of Russia’s innovative infrastructure. We will adopt modern methods of management and scientific research to form a single chain based on fundamental groundwork and ending in technology, resulting in real prospects for high-tech science-intensive markets."

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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Regional Development Minister Viktor Basargin

“Generally, we have launched preparations for the heating season in time. We have accumulated the necessary reserves of fuel, including backup fuel. Our overall power industry is virtually failsafe. However, we know that we have problems and the best evidence of this is what is happening today in the well-known Steppe garrison and in some other places. I am referring not to military but strictly to civilian facilities.”

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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin wished Orthodox Christians a merry Christmas

"It is a centuries-old tradition that people of different faiths congratulate each other on religious holidays. We may live through difficult times, but we always congratulate each other. I am confident that today, tomorrow, and the day after, Russia's Orthodox Christians will receive many congratulations from people of other faiths."

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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia at the Moscow-based Saint Daniel’s Monastery. Mr Putin and His Holiness discuss aspects of cooperation between the state and the church

Minister of Culture Alexander Avdeyev and Yury Petrov, Head of the Federal State Property Management Agency have also taken part in the conversation.

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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin

Mr Putin and Mr Sechin have discussed privileged oil costs for Belarus.

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