Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Mr Shmatko, how did winter go? What is on in electric industry and other sectors? How are the agreements with the agriculture sector holding up regarding springtime farmwork?
Sergey Shmatko: Mr Putin, allow me to report that initial results from the autumn-winter season 2008-9 show that the sector has remained manageable and reliable, and difficulties were prevented.
A great deal of work has been done, in accordance with the decision you made, a federal headquarters was set up to ensure the security of electricity supply. Today it is already possible to state that there were fewer accidents last winter than in the winter 2007-8. Overall we think that the management of the sector, which ensures the reliability of the nationwide electricity grid following the liquidation of RAO UES, did not suffer.
A nationwide meeting of all industries involved in the utilities sector will be held at the end of April, to consider the most recent autumn-winter period. We will draw corresponding conclusions for 2009-10.
Yesterday's Government meeting discussed the investment programme for the utilities. The fundamental task, the initial emphasis in the implementation of the investment programme for the electricity sector in 2009 is to ensure functional reliability and stability of the united energy systems nationwide. That is why I think that no particular surprises lie in store for us next winter.
Regarding the preparations for spring farmwork. Your instructions on ensuring a guaranteed supply of necessary petrochemicals to the countryside were fulfilled, and no price rise was permitted. The supply schedule was agreed by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Energy, and the oil companies confirmed these timetables and volumes. It should be said that the price settled on was the lowest for the past 4 months. The decision was taken because some companies and retail traders raised the price, but we overcame that trend.
Vladimir Putin: There is a minor variation between the regions, but you will see to that.
Sergei Shmatko: There is, Mr Putin. Today the Energy Ministry is carrying out strict monitoring across the regions. In addition we are planning to inform the public about current and future prices through the media, which will report the prices given by the oil companies, so that consumers are able to draw comparisons.
Vladimir Putin: The Government recently discussed questions linked to the implementation of the investment programme for the utilities sector. I would like you to tell me today, in greater detail, about what is happening in that sector. That's the first point. And then, second, we should continue our discussion of planned developments in civil nuclear power industry.