Russia has prepared its response to EU proposals to assist with President Dmitry Medvedev's ambitious plan to modernize the economy, Russian daily Kommersant said on Thursday.
During a Russia-EU summit last year, Medvedev and European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso discussed establishing a joint Partnership for Modernization, which could help Moscow use the European experience in diversifying its economy and overcoming its technological backwardness.
Brussels later sent to Moscow its vision of the document comprising several key goals: ensuring the rule of law, creating a diversified and competitive economy, strengthening ties in science and research, boosting direct investment, and integrating markets.
The Russian response, prepared by the economics ministry, covered all the key goals mentioned in the EU proposal, the paper said. It quoted presidential economic adviser Arkady Dvorkovich as saying that the program was not yet finalized and its outlines were due to be discussed at the Russia-EU summit in May. Kommersant said the Russian proposals could be sent to Brussels later on Thursday.
Dvorkovich said the final version of the joint plan would only include those things "that can realistically be implemented."
"This means those things that do not imply huge spending, but will also have a real effect," he clarified.
Kommersant said Moscow's vision of the plan made a priority of uniting forces to fight corruption, viewed by both the government and investors as the single biggest obstacle to doing business in Russia.
It also includes attracting European investment by moving production to Russia, the realization of joint programs in the energy sector, the development of new energy sources and boosting energy efficiency.
The Russia-EU cooperation plan would include cooperation on several issues - the space and navigation sector, medicine, computer technology, the production of industrial equipment and several other issues, such as visa-free travel between Russia and the European Union.
According to Kommersant, the Russian response left out the sensitive issue of financing the joint plan. Dvorkovich said funding will be discussed after Moscow has received a response from Brussels.
MOSCOW, April 1 (RIA Novosti)
