He proposed speeding up the process of delimiting the powers between the central and regional bodies of authority.
"We must clearly define the powers of the regions so that later there will not be any problems during the reform," he said.
Mr. Fradkov noted that without a quick and clear delimitation of the authorities' powers, the reform could stop.
"We must settle all the problems now," he said, "and not do it during the regional reforms. We need to work with territorial bodies, and I think that this is the government's job."
The prime minister said the government must clearly define the order of its actions in its work with the regions.
Mr. Fradkov also said that it was possible for specialized universities to continue to operate.
"If the ministers argue in favor of retaining one or another university within a ministry," he said, "and if these arguments are convincing, I will support them."
Mr. Fradkov said that some universities had specific features and that they would be kept.
At the session of the government, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov proposed placing the majority of universities, except medical, under the control of the Education Ministry.
However, several ministers argued against this proposal during the session. The Ministry of Natural Resources proposed keeping several universities under its control.
Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref, asked the Mr. Fradkov to restore the institution of state secretaries in ministries.
"The deputies demand a high level of representation in the Duma," he said. "However, with two deputy ministers, it will be difficult for the ministries, whose key function today is lawmaking, to maintain this high level of representation."
"I ask that you consider creating the institution of state secretaries, who would maintain contacts with the parliament," Mr. Gref said.
Mr. Zhukov agreed with Mr. Gref: "I think this question can be settled positively by creating the post of state secretary with the rank of a deputy minister."
He said the State Duma had repeatedly asked him to restore the post of state secretary in the ministries.
Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said that he also supported Mr. Gref's proposal.
However, Mr. Fradkov's reaction to the proposal was sharply negative.
"I have only one deputy and we are not asking for state secretaries," he said sarcastically. "After we decide to do it [create the post of state secretary] I will ask for five deputies."
