Presenting the government award to the speaker of the State Duma's of the fourth and fifth convocations, Vladimir Putin said, "Mr Gryzlov, the two terms of the State Duma which you headed, have ended. I want to thank you for your work and present you with this government award, the Stolypin Medal."

Mr Gryzlov thanked the prime minister for the high honour and noted that the State Duma has always cooperated closely with the government. "I accept this award and understand that we are one team," the former speaker said.