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Medvedev calls for economy reform | Medvedev calls for economy reform |
(41 minutes later) | |
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called for profound reform of the economy in his annual state of the nation address. | Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called for profound reform of the economy in his annual state of the nation address. |
The Soviet model was no longer working, he said, and modernisation based on "institutions of democracy" was needed. | The Soviet model was no longer working, he said, and modernisation based on "institutions of democracy" was needed. |
Russia could not blame external factors for the economic crisis, he added. | Russia could not blame external factors for the economic crisis, he added. |
The nation had to shift from its oil and gas-based economy and raise Russia to a "new, higher level of civilisation". | The nation had to shift from its oil and gas-based economy and raise Russia to a "new, higher level of civilisation". |
"Instead of a primitive economy based on raw materials, we shall create a smart economy, producing unique knowledge, new goods and technologies, goods and technologies useful for people," he said. | "Instead of a primitive economy based on raw materials, we shall create a smart economy, producing unique knowledge, new goods and technologies, goods and technologies useful for people," he said. |
Modern and open | |
"Instead of an archaic society, in which leaders think and decide for everybody, we shall become a society of intelligent, free and responsible people." | "Instead of an archaic society, in which leaders think and decide for everybody, we shall become a society of intelligent, free and responsible people." |
A year ago, in his first such address, Mr Medvedev made a surprise announcement about deploying missiles close to Poland. | A year ago, in his first such address, Mr Medvedev made a surprise announcement about deploying missiles close to Poland. |
This time the focus was on transforming Russia into a more modern and open country by introducing sweeping reforms. | |
Government had to become more transparent, he said, and issues of corruption and accountability had to be addressed. | |
Giant state conglomerates had to be overhauled and investment increased in areas such as information technology and telecommunications. | |
Putin's shadow | |
Over one million Russians were at risk of losing their jobs, he said, and pressing social issues needed to be addressed. | |
"We can't wait any longer. We need to launch modernisation of the entire industrial base. Our nation's survival in the modern world will depend on that," Mr Medvedev said. | |
The BBC's Richard Galpin, in Moscow, says that there is much in this which implies deep criticism of Mr Medvedev's mentor and predecessor Vladimir Putin, who is now prime minister. | |
The president is keen to prove he is his own man and has his own identity as a political leader rather than remaining in Mr Putin's shadow. | |
But the question is whether the president can deliver on his pledges and bring about real significant political and economic reform, our correspondent adds. |