Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan address a news conference on the outcome of their negotiations

“Today we have certainly discussed our ambitious joint projects, —in particular, the South Stream gas pipeline and the Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline. The fact, that these two projects are crucial to Russia, Turkey and the whole of Europe both in terms of finding a solution to environmental problems, and in terms of ensuring reliable energy supplies to Europe, is, I think, indisputable.”

Two documents have been signed after the talks between Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan

After the talks between Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, two documents have been signed.

The Government Presidium meets to sum up 2009 budget fulfilment and discuss transport, fisheries and public health screening results

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Putin set objectives for 2010: to increase pensions, provide war veterans with housing, adopt a new federal housing programme, furnish business incentives and create new jobs.

During restricted attendance talks Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke about effective development of bilateral economic relations and emphasised the need to further diversify them

“Turkey remains one of Russia’s biggest trade and economic partners, leaving behind both the United States and Britain. We have major joint projects in energy, telecommunications and other industries. Now our goal is to diversify our economic relations.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Government Executive Office Sergei Sobyanin confers government awards on representatives of the print media for 2009

Sergei Sobyanin believes that the print media reflect overall public opinion and at the same time are a powerful tool for influencing the public.

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."

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Federal Space Agency Head Anatoly Perminov

“Everything which is being done there [at Stellar City] should be done on a competitive basis and should meet current standards. Attractive architectural concepts should be used to create a favourable working environment for our cosmonauts. We must create modern living conditions for those who are involved in the complicated mission of space exploration.”

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Vneshtorgbank President Andrei Kostin

They discussed the necessity of increasing corporate and private loans, and the prospects of the Russian stock market.