Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak

The two officials discussed rising utilities tariffs. The Prime Minister underlined that, although this issue is to the responsibility of city halls and regional governments, the federal government should not ignore it. He also instructed his deputy to analyse the reasons for flawed pricing policies in the sector.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gives a speech at the inauguration of the Maersk Line’s Ecubex container service between South America and Russia during his tour of the North-Western Federal District

“This is a major project for Russia because, as you well know, we have recently focused investment on transportation infrastructure. Despite the difficult circumstances brought on by the global financial and economic crisis, which peaked in 2009, and despite the general fall in production and shipping in some areas, not only have cargo transfers in Russian ports not declined, they have actually increased."

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Danish counterpart Lars Lokke Rasmussen visit the captain’s cabin in the Maersk Niamey container vessel

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen

Prime Minister Putin emphasised the opportunity the two countries have to cooperate on shipbuilding, noting that Russia has “far-reaching plans” in this area, which “match our capabilities.” With regard to the imminent start of construction on the seabed section of the Nord Stream pipeline, Prime Minister Putin noted that the Danish government was the first one to give authorisation for the pipeline to be laid.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin holds a video conference with his Deputy Igor Sechin

During the video conference Mr Putin took part in the commissioning of the fifth hydro-electric unit of the Sayano–Shushenskaya hydroelectric power plant, and ordered his subordinates to facilitate the construction of a supply road to the station. He expressed the hope that all plans for the station’s repair will be carried out to deadline. Mr Putin emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to the work, primarily on mechanical engineering and infrastructure, and drew attention to the needs of those who suffered in last year’s accident and members of their families.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Finnish business leaders

Mr Putin offered Finnish business leaders to join a programme of forest development priority investment projects and also invited them to cooperate in the agro-industrial sector and production of food, shipbuilding and energy. He also suggested they give thought to creating a Russian-Finnish Business Council and told them Russia opened the Torfyanovka customs crossing point for cars.