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| Medvedev calls for economy reform | Medvedev calls for economy reform |
| (30 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 no longer worked, he said, and Russia's survival depended on rapid modernisation based on democratic institutions. | The Soviet model no longer worked, he said, and Russia's survival depended on rapid modernisation based on democratic institutions. |
| An oil and gas-based economy had to be reworked with hi-tech investments. | An oil and gas-based economy had to be reworked with hi-tech investments. |
| Inefficient state giants should be overhauled and issues of accountability and transparency addressed, he said. | Inefficient state giants should be overhauled and issues of accountability and transparency addressed, 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," Mr Medvedev 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," Mr Medvedev said. |
| "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." |
| Corruption | |
| 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. | This time the focus was on transforming Russia into a more modern and open country, by introducing sweeping reforms. |
| We need to launch modernisation of the entire industrial base Dmitry Medvedev | We need to launch modernisation of the entire industrial base Dmitry Medvedev |
| More than one million Russians were at risk of losing their jobs, he said, and pressing social issues needed to be addressed. | More than 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. | "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. |
| Government had to become more transparent, he said, and corruption should be punished. The giant state companies created by his predecessor, Vladimir Putin, had "no future", he said. | Government had to become more transparent, he said, and corruption should be punished. The giant state companies created by his predecessor, Vladimir Putin, had "no future", he said. |
| "Inefficient enterprises must go through bankruptcy proceedings or leave the market," he said. "We won't be protecting them forever." | |
| Mr Medvedev promised to strengthen democratic institutions but warned that any attempts to disrupt national stability with "democratic slogans" would be stopped. | Mr Medvedev promised to strengthen democratic institutions but warned that any attempts to disrupt national stability with "democratic slogans" would be stopped. |
| "Freedom means responsibility and I hope everyone understands that," he said. | "Freedom means responsibility and I hope everyone understands that," he said. |
| And he promised a pragmatic foreign policy that would focus on improving Russians' living standards. | And he promised a pragmatic foreign policy that would focus on improving Russians' living standards. |
| In other comments, Mr Medvedev: | |
| • Called for a "joint reliable platform" to strengthen Europe's security, saying such a body would have prevented the war with Georgia | |
| • Described the situation in the North Caucasus as Russia's most serious internal problem and pledged to fight "terrorist crimes" there | |
| • Suggested that the number of time zones in Russia - currently 11 - should be reduced | |
| Putin's shadow | Putin's shadow |
| The Russian president gave a bleak assessment of the current situation and issued a clarion call for change, reports the BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow. | The Russian president gave a bleak assessment of the current situation and issued a clarion call for change, reports the BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow. |
| There was much in the speech that implied deep criticism of Mr Putin, who is now prime minister. | There was much in the speech that implied deep criticism of Mr 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 under Mr Putin's shadow. | The president is keen to prove he is his own man and has his own identity as a political leader, rather than remaining under 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. | But the question is whether the president can deliver on his pledges and bring about real significant political and economic reform, our correspondent adds. |
| Are you in Russia? What is your reaction to President Medvedev's address? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Russia? What is your reaction to President Medvedev's address? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |