"The quality of life, social security and health of our compatriots cannot be estimated in terms of money, yet they remain key goals of state policy in the sphere of nanotechnology," Mr Ivanov said at the opening ceremony of the International Nanotechnology Forum in Moscow.

The Deputy Prime Minister said Russia's main objectives in nanotechnology were to monitor its global development, strengthen ties between scientists, and protect intellectual property. He said Russia's competitiveness in this field could not be ensured without a profound integration in the global nanotechnological environment.

According to Mr Ivanov, this goal is connected with the overall task of strengthening Russia's competitiveness or leadership in the fields where it has preserved or is developing research potential, thus filling the void in those spheres of science, technology and production, the void which has not become unbridgeable.