Transcript of the start of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Perminov, yesterday was 50 years since the signing of the executive order to construct Stellar City. Quite recently we changed its status by transferring it from the Defence Ministry to Roskosmos (the Federal Space Agency). Some time ago we agreed to draft a programme to resolve social issues, including housing construction.

I know that Roskosmos is planning to time these events with Cosmonautics Day in April. Can you tell me about the preparations for this event? On what do you want to base the development of Stellar City?

Anatoly Perminov: Indeed, the government has made a decision about this, and we are following through in cooperation with the Defence Ministry based on the schedule. Everything has been commissioned. I am referring to the assembly of the operations and checkout buildings, the simulator and other technical zone facilities.

We have adopted a completely new staff list and kept only qualified personnel, primarily those who train our flight crews. The number of crew members at the International Space Station (ISS) has doubled this year.

To fulfill its international commitments, Russia has doubled the number of manned and cargo space ships this year.

Despite the difficult conditions, we have coped with all of our assignments.

Vladimir Putin: Russia has done this not only for fulfilling its international commitments but for carrying out the ISS programme. We have practically doubled the scale of work while helping our partners.

Anatoly Perminov: Absolutely. As for social affairs, we have carried out the government's decision to organize a closed administrative entity at Stellar City. It was established in cooperation with the governor's administration under government control. Elections have been held and an administration formed. At this point, we have begun preparing and implementing the social development programme.

Housing and utilities are our biggest concern. Therefore, fulfilling your instructions, we will draft a programme and coordinate its approval with the relevant ministries and departments.

By April we will report on the implementation of the programme to the government.

Vladimir Putin: We have a committee, which is charged with preparing the celebration of the first flight into space.

Anatoly Perminov: Yes, the organizing committee.

Vladimir Putin: Maybe it is worth holding its regular meeting at Stellar City. This would also allow us to get a first-hand look at the problems which we are discussing today.

Everything which is being done there [at Stellar City] should be done on a competitive basis and should meet current standards. Attractive architectural concepts should be used to create a favourable working environment for our cosmonauts. We must create modern living conditions for those who are involved in the complicated mission of space exploration.

Roskosmos is planning to increase the scope of its work.

Anatoly Perminov: We know your requirements for the upkeep of such cities and we will draft a programme based on modern construction requirements, communications and sports facilities. People should not feel isolated in such cities.

We will take into account the ideas you expressed in the Plesetsk spaceport and in Vilyuisk. This will be one of the most impressive cities. In any event, we will submit this programme to the government.

Vladimir Putin: The number of such cities in the world can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Anatoly Perminov: There are three such cities all in all.

Vladimir Putin: Only three - in China, the United States and Russia. Ours is the oldest and therefore some things have become obsolete. However, we now have a very good opportunity to resolve all the existing problems at a high technological level. This is exactly what we should do.

Anatoly Perminov: We will.