Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Dmitry Medvedev: A few words about important papers that have been issued recently. I have signed a resolution approving the rules for public assessment of the efficiency of the heads of the territorial agencies of the relevant authorities in the provision of government services. People can assess the quality of this service using a five-grade scale in the following categories: the time it took, the time they spent waiting in queues, the competence of the official who provided the service, how comfortable was the building where they received it, the availability of information, etc. People can submit their comments in a number of ways, including by texting a multi-server telephone number from appointment terminals and via the Internet. Well, we’ll see how it works out. I hope all goes well.

Last week I signed a resolution to extend the incentive system for regions which succeed in developing their tax potential. These regions are issued subsidies worth a total of 10 billion roubles. In addition, the number of the regions that receive this subsidy has increased to 25.

A few words about the aircraft manufacturing industry. We have approved a government programme for the development of this industry until 2025. We are creating the necessary research and technological background, improving the regulatory framework and modernising production facilities. I know that tomorrow one of the industry’s oldest enterprises, the Klimov Company, will discuss its performance in 2012. They are planning to open a new line in the near future, if I’m not mistaken. Mr Rogozin (Dmitry Rogozin), tell us about the situation at the plant.

Dmitry Rogozin: Yes, Mr Medvedev, they have a big event planned for tomorrow – in fact, three events will be held at the Klimov plant. First, we will launch a new line, which is moving production from the centre of St Petersburg to Shuvalovo-Ozerki in the suburbs. The line has the most sophisticated equipment for the production of both helicopter and aircraft engines. The line is planned to reach its design capacity in June 2013. It is a very important programme because it is being implemented not only through federal allocations as part of the federal targeted programme for the development of the defence industry, but also jointly with the city authorities, and also because it involves vacating additional sites in the central, historical part of the city where modern buildings can be planned.

The second event on our agenda tomorrow is the beginning of standard trials of the VK-2500 helicopter engines, which are now fully Russian, as they are built exclusively with Russian-made components. This is the result of the federal targeted programme for the development of the defence industry. Acting to replace imported goods with Russian-made ones, we are gradually becoming independent of foreign suppliers. In fact, we will be able to produce 50 of these fully Russian-made engines already in 2013. We need them for two helicopter models – the Ka-52 Alligator and the Mi-28 Night Hunter. They are modern helicopters. In general, we plan to produce upwards of 400 VK-2500 engines starting in 2015, which is enough for 200 helicopters, including spare engines.

The third event is the signing of the acceptance act following the static trials of the RD-33MK turbofan engine. I'm mentioning this as a separate event because we have created an engine that can be mounted on deck-based aircraft. First, we will be able to honour our obligations to our Indian partner concerning the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft-carrier, which will be equipped for and will have the Russian-made MiG-29 fighter planes. As for Russia, this means that we have created conditions for developing new air-capable groups: we have aircraft equipped with a very powerful engine for this.

These are the three notable events that will take place on the same day. Tomorrow is a day for congratulating the Klimov staff on their achievements. I’d like to ask you, Mr Medvedev, to sign the messages of greetings which we will prepare.

Dmitry Medvedev: Yes, certainly, I will do it with pleasure. My best regards to everyone at the plant.

There was one more event last week. I met with the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation, who was in Moscow for a major conference on decent work. It was the first such event organised by the Government. It went very well, so Ms Golodets (Olga Golodets), I want to thank you for organising that event. I also want to ask you about the work of the National Coordinating Council to Support Talented Young People. It is a highly important project that you are in charge of. How are you doing?

Olga Golodets: On December 13, we held a routine meeting of the National Coordinating Council to Support Talented Young People. We have been following the programme that has been developed and approved by the Government of the Russian Federation. An item on our agenda for today is how to make special schools more accessible to talented children and all children in general regardless of where they live. We discussed this subject in detail on  December 13  and agreed that the leading educational institutions should cover the entire country. More specifically, our oldest music, choreographic and science and technology schools cover most of the territory of Russia… What remains to be done is to streamline the process, but all others should ensure this before the end of this year. We handed down the orders and the means will be developed before March 1, 2013 prior to enrolment for the next academic year.

Yet another subject that we discussed is that the existing academic competitions and contests that serve as a tool for selecting talented children are failing to cover the entire range of disciplines required by the modern development of science and art. We have arranged for all sector curators to file proposals on how to organise new systems and new types of academic competitions that will emphasise professional advancement.

The next issue is that leisure activities should be the basis for supporting young talent. We have discussed how to expand the number of the youth engaged in supplementary education so that it becomes accessible to 75% of the young people. There is a plan to this effect and it is being implemented. The next meeting of the Coordinating Council is scheduled for next February. We will work hard to reach these results by next September.

Dmitry Medvedev: This is a good thing. Carry on.

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