In his words, the foreign policy priority of Russia is the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the new unions created within it. These unions should be created through maximum economic openness and "direct human contacts." Mr. Putin confirmed that Russia wants to join the WTO but only on conditions that will suit it.
The government must energetically uphold the interests of Russian business abroad, especially in conditions of the EU expansion, said the president. "The EU expansion must result not only in geographic proximity but also economic and spiritual closeness," said Mr. Putin.
Vladimir Putin charged the government and the Foreign Ministry with "finding more effective methods to increase Russian export and reliably protect the interests of Russian companies abroad." "This attitude is especially important now that Russia and the EU have a common border," stressed the president.
He sees this as "the earnest of success for Russian and European business alike." "This promises us new markets, new investments, and, in general, new possibilities for the future of Greater Europe."
As Vladimir Putin said, Moscow will continue to develop political and economic relations with the USA and the other major partners of Russia - China, India and Japan. He believes that border and interregional co-operation is a major reserve for the development of trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian contacts.
The vital condition for the fulfilment of the tasks facing the country is to ensure reliable security of the country and the inviolability of its borders and to find an adequate answer to the gravest threats of the 21st century.
Vladimir Putin also believes that Russia's tax system must be more favourable for investment and business development than in the rival countries. "The tax system should be more favorable for investment and business development than in the rival countries. It should be also more competitive itself," stressed the president.
The president pointed out that tax reforms were yielding the first results. In his words, tax collection has grown, tax avoidance has diminished, and the tax burden on the economy has been reduced. However, "far from everything we should do has been done." "To introduce an effective tax system in the next two years, we should make and implement a number of additional decisions," Vladimir Putin said in his state of the nation address.
