Transcript of the beginning of the meeting: 

Vladimir Putin: Mr Zyuganov, we have completed the work on the budget. I know that your party had dissenting views on that document. Nevertheless, you have proposals regarding the implementation of the strategic development plans we discussed. As you know President Dmitry Medvedev spoke about this in his State of the Nation Address, and I spoke on the issue at the latest congress of the United Russia party.

These are plans of national importance. I suggest that we discuss them in greater detail today.

Gennady Zyuganov: Mr Putin, I have brought along a package of practical proposals on this issue.

We presented them at a meeting with Mr Shuvalov (Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov) and subsequently forwarded them to several ministers. Some of them were accepted. We must admit that the issue of innovations, new technologies is so high profile that our professionals, including our top scientists, business leaders and bankers have prepared a series of projects.

I would like to discuss them with you today. I am sure that you will like many of them.

Vladimir Putin: Good.