Sergei Ivanov said the government would discuss the Transport Ministry's report on the restructuring of Russian Railways (RZD) in November, including the final stage of the reform, to be completed in 2011. He said the Government Commission on Transport and Communications would convene before the government meeting "to discuss in detail the fulfilment of each item on the reform plan, including the rail monopoly's privatisation programme."

The deputy prime minister recalled that the government had approved the plan for railway transport structural reform for 2010-2011.

"The provisions stipulate enhancing the investment attractiveness of the sector, promoting competition, scaling down RZD's monopoly, improving transportation efficiency and quality, cutting cross-subsidies, improving legal regulation in the sector and ensuring the implementation of measures to promote innovative development," Ivanov said.

He emphasised that "the results of the reform, in particular the creation of an effective market of transport services to attract investors, will depend on the final reform stage."

Ivanov underlined the importance of implementing all of the organisational measures by the approved deadlines and the need to submit the proposed structural reform amendments to the government as soon as possible.