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Main theses of the Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly Назад
Main theses of the Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly
President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev proposed giving the Russian Federal Assembly (parliament) greater constitutional powers. In particular, he proposed giving the State Duma [the lower house of parliament] control functions over the executive branch and making it law for the Cabinet to report to the lower house. He also proposed increasing the Presidents term in office to six years, and increasing the State Dumas mandate to five years.

Mr Medvedev called this simply an adjustment to the countrys Constitution. There is no need to change Russias Constitution, adopted 15 years ago, and its basic provisions should remain firmly in place for many years to come, he said.

The President set out in the Address his vision of the laws, objectives and values that form the foundation of Russian society: the Constitutions decisive role in developing democracy in the country and its importance for building a new legal system, combating corruption and legal nihilism, expanding economic freedom, implementing social guarantees, and consolidating international legality.

Mr Medvedev noted that Russias people are far readier now than they were when reforms began to pursue their activities in freedom, and criticised the state bureaucracy. A strong state and an all-powerful bureaucracy are not one and the same thing, he said. Civil society needs a strong state to protect and strengthen democratic institutions, whereas an all-powerful bureaucracy is a mortal danger for civil societys development.

With the goal of developing democracy, Mr Medvedev proposed increasing the level and quality of public representation in government and encouraging people to become more actively involved in political life. The President also made proposals concerning representation of small political parties in parliament, the right of parties that have won regional elections to name candidates for the highest executive posts in the region, new principles for the formation of the Federation Council - the upper house of parliament, specific changes to the law on political parties and other issues.

Mr Medvedev said that freedom of speech should be ensured through technological innovation and the spread of a free internet space and digital television.

The President focused particularly on combating corruption and gave a detailed presentation of prevention measures designed to ensure there is no advantage to be gained from corrupt behaviour. He referred to the package of anti-corruption draft laws already drawn up and said that alongside legal measures efforts must be made to improve the government system itself by optimizing and clarifying the different state agencies powers.

Mr Medvedev also examined the judicial systems development and listed concrete steps for its improvement.

The President addressed the issue of migration, both within the country and from outside, as well as the question of obtaining Russian citizenship.

Mr Medvedev said that the Russian nations unity is the guarantee for its stability and civilised development, and that interethnic peace is one of its greatest values.

Mr Medvedev devoted the next section of his Address to the issue of human resources and the extensive and systemic recruitment of talent. Russias future lies in an innovative economy, and this calls for a new system of building up a human resources pool, the President said. He issued an instruction giving the Government and the Presidential Executive Office until the end of the year to launch a programme in this area jointly drafted by the state authorities, local government, and public organisations.

To resolve the human resources problem, the countrys education system needs to undergo a revival, Mr Medvedev said. He noted that its past achievements won it recognition all around the world, but its backwardness today is threatening Russias ability to compete. The President focused particularly on primary- and secondary-level education and outlined the main goals and means of its modernisation. He instructed the Government to draw up in the nearest future new principles not just for the way schools work but also for their design, construction, and equipment and technical resources base. The President also emphasised the important part schools play in developing a healthy population.

On the subject of modernising healthcare in general, Mr Medvedev said that a state programme in this area will be adopted before the year ends.

The Address also examined the issues of medical and pension insurance.

Mr Medvedev said that in these vital areas - education, healthcare and pensions - people should see clearly the results of economic growth and be able to understand how the fruits of growth are distributed.

In the section of the Address dealing with international affairs, Mr Medvedev drew a number of conclusions from the events in the Caucasus, which have gone beyond being a local conflict in importance. First and most important is that a new geopolitical situation is emerging. Second is that Russias Armed Forces have restored their combat capability. Mr Medvedev said in this respect that Russia will not allow itself to be drawn into an arms race, despite the construction of a global missile defence system, the encircling of the country with military bases, and NATOs expansion. The President listed a series of measures that will be taken as an effective response above all to U.S. deployment of elements of its global missile defence system in Europe.

Mr Medvedev noted the importance of the integration nucleus formed by the Union State of Russia and Belarus, the Eurasian Economic Community, and, in the military-political sphere, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation.

The President condemned the double standards applied to Russias recognition of South Ossetias and Abkhazias independence. He said that many negative tendencies have built up in the world over recent years, and only through collective efforts can answers be found to todays new challenges. This is why Russia supports carefully planned reform of the United Nations and bolstering its role.

Regarding relations with the United States, Mr Medvedev said that Russia has no issue with the American people and no inherent anti-Americanism. He said he hopes that the new administration in the USA will make a choice in favour of full-fledged relations with Russia.

Mr Medvedev mentioned his initiative to draft a new treaty on European security. He also declared a commitment to deepening the dialogue with the European Union and continuing work together with Russias European partners.

The Address also set out the principles for Russias practical work on the international stage. These principles include strengthening the legal foundations of international relations, developing a polycentric world system, and participation by Russia in different groups such as the G8, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRIC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and others.

The President also set out Russias proposals on creating a new world financial architecture and proposals drafted for the G-20 summit in Washington on November 15. The minimum set of goals includes developing a new risk assessment system, introducing modern technology for disclosing objective information on market participants and their operations, harmonising accounting standards, and increased capital requirements for financial institutions.

Mr Medvedev also spoke about the steps being taken to turn Russia into a leading financial centre, boost the roubles role and move over to settlements in roubles for raw materials exports, above all oil and gas exports.

The President also spoke about diversification of relations with the members of the Eurasian Economic Community, the CIS, the EU, China, India and other big Asian partners, and noted too the opportunities opening up in Latin America and Africa.

Russia is ready for mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries and groups committed to developing constructive relations. Geography is not important, Mr Medvedev said. What is important is a positive spirit and mutual interest.

(The full text of the Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly will be published).

05.11.08
www.kremlin.ru

Док. 515834
Опублик.: 06.11.08
Число обращений: 202

  • Медведев Дмитрий Анатольевич

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