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Medvedev calls for economy reform | Medvedev calls for economy reform |
(20 minutes later) | |
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is giving his annual state-of-the-nation address, his second in office. | Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is giving his annual state-of-the-nation address, his second in office. |
In opening remarks, he said that the old economic model would no longer work and that profound reforms were needed to help advance development. | |
Russia could not blame external factors for the current economic crisis, he said. | |
The nation had to modernise its oil and gas-based economy and raise Russia to a "new, higher level of civilisation". | |
More than a million Russians were at risk of losing their jobs, he said, and pressing social issues needed to be addressed. | |
"We will create a new economy instead of a primitive resource-oriented economy," he said. | |
"We will become a society of free, clever and responsible people, instead of being an archaic society where leaders decide for people." | |
Economy fears | |
A year ago, in his first such address, Mr Medvedev made a surprise announcement about deploying missiles close to Poland. | |
There might be more surprises this time. But, say analysts, the focus is likely to be on transforming Russia into a more modern and open country. | There might be more surprises this time. But, say analysts, the focus is likely to be on transforming Russia into a more modern and open country. |
This, reports the BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow, was the theme of a much talked about article which Mr Medvedev wrote for an internet site in September. | This, reports the BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow, was the theme of a much talked about article which Mr Medvedev wrote for an internet site in September. |
In the article, the president was scathing about what he called the country's primitive economy and its humiliating dependence on oil, gas and other raw materials. | In the article, the president was scathing about what he called the country's primitive economy and its humiliating dependence on oil, gas and other raw materials. |
He went on to criticise the level of corruption and the weakness of democracy in the country. | He went on to criticise the level of corruption and the weakness of democracy in the country. |
Now, he said, was the chance to prove that Russia could develop in a democratic way. | Now, he said, was the chance to prove that Russia could develop in a democratic way. |
These strong words have been seen as a criticism of his mentor and predecessor Vladimir Putin, who is now prime minister, our correspondent adds. | These strong words have been seen as a criticism of his mentor and predecessor Vladimir Putin, who is now prime minister, our correspondent adds. |
The president is keen to prove he is his own man and his speech is seen as an opportunity to do this. |