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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."
Over one million Russians were at risk of losing their jobs, he said, and pressing social issues needed to be addressed.
The time had come, he said, for Russia "to attain the status of a world power on an absolutely new basis".
Transforming
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.
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 time the focus was on transforming Russia into a more modern and open country by introducing sweeping reforms.
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. Government had to become more transparent, he said, and issues of corruption and accountability had to be addressed.
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. Giant state conglomerates had to be overhauled and investment increased in areas such as information technology and telecommunications.
He went on to criticise the level of corruption and the weakness of democracy in the country. Putin's shadow
Now, he said, was the chance to prove that Russia could develop in a democratic way. Over one million Russians were at risk of losing their jobs, he said, and pressing social issues needed to be addressed.
These strong words have been seen as a criticism of his mentor and predecessor Vladimir Putin, who is now prime minister, our correspondent adds. "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 president is keen to prove he is his own man and his speech is being seen as an opportunity to do this. 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.