MOSCOW, November 12 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev delivered his second state of the nation address to both houses of parliament in the Grand Kremlin Palace on Thursday.
His speech to the Russian parliament was broadcast on state television and became the longest-ever presidential address, lasting 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Members of the government and State Council, heads of the Supreme, Constitutional and Higher Arbitration Courts, chairmen of the Audit Chamber and Central Election Commission, and religious leaders attended.
In line with the Russian Constitution, the president annually addresses the Federal Assembly, comprising the Federation Council and State Duma, to about the domestic situation and the key areas of Russia's foreign policy.
The Russian president said in his address:
- Economic modernization is a matter of vital importance for Russia and can no longer be delayed
- Russian state corporations have no future and should be reorganized and later privatized
- Russia's Armed Forces are to receive 30 new ground and sea-launched ballistic missiles, three nuclear submarines, and an assortment of other weapons
- Corrupt government officials must be jailed
- Modernization of Russia in the 21st century will be based on the values and institutions of democracy
- Russian foreign policy should be pragmatic and aimed at the country's modernization
- Russia must set up a research and technological development center similar to Silicon Valley in the United States
- Russia will develop new generation nuclear reactors and fuel by 2014
- The government should create an effective system of state orders for defense production, ensuring balanced deliveries of modern arms and armaments for domestic needs and abroad
- The government's share in commercial companies, including strategic businesses, should be reviewed
- State-run corporations and large companies should be subject to an independent audit
- Political parties may be freed in the future from collecting signatures, which is currently a requirement for them to take part in parliamentary elections
- A Russian constellation of communication satellites should be put into operation by 2015
- The number of time zones in the country, currently 11, should be reduced
- The government should prepare a new approval scheme for investment projects, with the term of consideration cut from one and a half or two years to three or four months
- The level of corruption in the North Caucasus is "unprecedented"
- The government will soon return to the issue of lowering taxes, which was delayed by the economic crisis
- Programs to enhance energy efficiency will be primarily introduced in the public sector
- More than 1 million Russians are in danger of losing their jobs
- All WWII veterans will be provided with housing regardless of when they apply for it
- Grants on health and sports support programs will be exempt from profit tax
- Moneylending and housing require new support measures
- The government will draft measures to enhance the quality of public services
- Broadband Internet connection should be provided nationwide in five years
- Modern satellite navigation and cartography systems should become operational in Russia by 2012
- Employment in Russia should be made attractive for Russian scientists favorable conditions for attracting foreign specialists to the country should be created
- Russia will develop 50 medicines for cardiovascular and oncological treatment
- The government's share in commercial companies, including strategic businesses, should be reviewed
- The equality of state and private schools will be fixed in legislation
