Prime Minister Vladimir Putin holds a meeting in Sochi on developing Russia’s border infrastructure

“The border should be open and accessible for all law-abiding people, and barriers must not be put up against legitimate business transactions, cross-border cooperation or the realisation of Russia’s vast transit potential.”

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with chief executives of ExxonMobil in Sochi

“I am pleased that such a good, reliable strategic partner has emerged for us. The Russian government will support your efforts to ensure the success of your business in Russia.”

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Mikhail Shmakov, Chairman of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia

The two officials discussed the Federation of Independent Trade Unions’ role in drafting the Russian Popular Front’s programme. Vladimir Putin emphasised: “It is important that we produce a complete document that will clearly and unambiguously outline the goals we set for ourselves. It needs to be a tool that will take us to those goals by the shortest possible way. And they must be attainable.”

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Yuri Trutnev

Prime Minister Putin and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Yuri Trutnev discussed efforts to improve national parks and nature reserves in order to assure a high quality of environmental tourism services. Vladimir Putin pointed out that even low-income individuals should be able to afford visits to these parks and nature reserves.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin

The focus of the meeting was on measures to increase supply on the domestic petroleum products market, in part by transitioning to a new system of taxation for the industry. Mr Sechin also reported to Mr Putin on the implementation of the prime minister’s order on concluding defence procurement contracts, particularly in shipbuilding.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visits the regional clinical hospital while on a working visit to Smolensk

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sees how construction work is progressing on the Smolensk Federal Medical Centre for Traumatology, Orthopaedics and Endoprosthesis

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin holds a meeting on healthcare modernisation

“Thanks to the Health national project we have managed to solve the most acute problems in healthcare. I repeat, only the most pressing problems. Now, under regional programmes, we must effect qualitative change in improving healthcare in the Russian regions. This is above all about upgrading the quality of medical help on offer, ensuring it is accessible and of course, it is about decent pay for medical professionals, medical workers.”