13 september 2012
Background material for the government meeting of September, 13, 2012 (press release)
Press release*
The following issues are scheduled for discussion at the government meeting on Sept. 13, 2012:
1. Progress: State programme on an Accessible Environment for Disabled People for 2011-2015
The programme targets the social integration of individuals with disabilities.
Federal funding amounted to 1.708 billion roubles in 2011. The financing plan for 2012 is 2.89 billion roubles.
2. Draft federal law amending the Federal Law On Gas Supplies in Russia
The draft introduces a formula for calculating the price of performing a technological connection to gas supply mains based on standardised rates that will be established in accordance with government-approved general guidelines and Federal Tariff Service-approved methodology.
3. Draft federal law amending Article 150 of Part Two of the Tax Code
The draft law calls for amending the Tax Code to extend VAT abatement to cultural heritage items imported into Russia or other territories under Russia’s jurisdiction.
4. Draft federal law amending the Federal Law On the Legal Status of Foreign Nationals in the Russian Federation and invalidating Subclause (G) of Clause 5 of Article 1 of Federal Law No. 86-FZ dated May 19, 2010 amending the Federal Law On the Legal Status of Foreign Nationals in the Russian Federation and related regulatory acts.
The amendment will facilitate the implementation of the government migration policy until 2025 by simplifying the procedures for obtaining permission to hire foreign personnel, mainly highly qualified professionals.
5. Proposal for the President to sign an agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kyrgyzstan on the status and conditions for hosting Russia’s integrated military base in Kyrgyzstan, and a Russian-Kyrgyz Protocol of Cooperation pending the agreement on the status and conditions for hosting the integrated military base in Kyrgyzstan.
Both the agreement and the protocol establish Russia’s long-term (15-year) military presence in Central Asia and regulate interstate issues pertaining to the deployment of military facilities and the development of Russia’s military base in Kyrgyzstan, the operation and use of the said facilities, their status, and the rent to be paid by Russia.
6. Draft federal law On the Ratification of the Agreement between the Russian and Japanese Governments Simplifying Visa Formalities for Russian and Japanese Nationals.
The agreement is aimed at improving the legal framework regulating Russian-Japanese relations with regard to mutual travel and creating better travelling conditions for specific groups of Russian and Japanese nationals, primarily business executives, academics, athletes, culture workers, and journalists.
7. Draft federal law On the Ratification of the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Abkhazia on Retirement Programmes for Department of Interior Employees
The agreement is aimed at creating a legal framework for Russian-Abkhazian cooperation with regard to retirement programmes for department of interior employees and their families, who move in-between these countries.
8. Signing the Agreement between the Governments of Russia and Kyrgyzstan Revising Kyrgyzstan’s Outstanding Loans
The draft agreement revises the conditions for the repayment and servicing of several of Kyrgyzstan’s outstanding loan debts to Russia.
9. Amendment of several government acts delineating the authorities of various federal executive bodies with regard to protecting children from information that can harm their health and/or development
The draft resolution is aimed at creating a legal environment for federal executive bodies to regulate the field of protecting children from information that can harm their health and/or development.
10. Distribution of federal subsidies allocated in 2012 to Russian regions to support the policies that they adopt under the federal targeted programme to develop education in 2011-2015, specifically to modernise the regional and municipal educational systems
Federal subsidies will be allocated to 72 regions to support the federal education programme in 2011-2015.
11. Amendment of the Provision on the Ministry of Energy
The change will enable the Ministry of Energy to act as the operator for the creation, management and improvement of the state fuel and energy information system.
12. Amendment of the Provision on the Federal Agency for State Property Management
The amendment will help improve the legal framework regulating the disposal or destruction of material evidence that is difficult to store until the completion of the criminal case.
13. Amendment of the Provision on the Federal Antimonopoly Service
This amendment will enable the agency to operate more effectively with regard to overseeing foreign investment in Russian companies with a strategic importance for defence and security, overseeing the observance of antimonopoly laws, including the improvement of flawed practices while organising federal and municipal property auctions, signing sales agreements with wining bidders, and preventing price manipulation on the wholesale and retail electricity markets.
14. Dissolving the organising committee on the preparation for and celebration of the 1,000th anniversary of Mordovia and Russia's unification.
15. Approving the 2012 federal subsidies to the regions to co-finance the capital construction of state (municipal) property
The draft directive is aimed at developing a regional infrastructure to support small businesses by building, modernising, and equipping facilities (business incubators).
Moscow
Sept. 12, 2012
* Press releases by the Department of Press Service and Information contain the materials submitted by the federal executive bodies for discussion by the Government of the Russian Federation.
