Speaking about the reasons for creating the Russian Popular Front, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that he wants United Russia to come alive with new ideas and new people, as well as numerous formal and informal organisations to gain opportunities to express themselves and promote some of their ideas and their own people in the municipal, regional and federal power bodies.
“What we need is strong and competent local government. It is essential to Russia’s successful development and to opening the vast potential of all its territories.”
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Pskov Region Governor Andrei Turchak
The discussion included the socio-economic development of the Pskov Region during the first quarter, and preparations for spring farm work.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Tyumen Region Governor Vladimir Yakushev
Mr Putin and Mr Yakushev discussed the challenges facing the region – some industries lagging behind, the danger of drought and forest fires. However, as the prime minister noted, the region looks pretty good on the whole. Mr Putin and Mr Yakushev focused especially on the construction of major educational facilities and the health care modernisation programme.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Sberbank CEO German Gref
Vladimir Putin and German Gref discussed the bank's results for the first quarter of 2011, as well as the bank's social programmes – primarily support for the mortgage system. Special attention was paid to Sberbank’s programme for building family-type children's homes.
“Russian-Austrian relations have been improving, moving into a new dimension of a partnership based on trust,” Mr Putin said.