Medvedev’s state of the nation address touches on Russia's modernization, fight against corruption

In his third state of the nation address, President Medvedev talked tough on corruption in Russia, and said that modernization “is not a goal in and of itself” but rather an instrument to provide a better future for all Russians.

"It seems that in some cases economic measures in the form of fines can be more productive”  Medvedev said, in the annual address that took place on November 30, continuing that commercial bribery may be punished by fines of up to one hundred times the amount of the bribe. "It is time to start working on a new version of the law on state procurements that is better thought through and more modern," he added.

Medvedev’s state of the nation address also underlined that the government has poured money into many areas of Russia’s modernization project, especially in the medical and health care sectors, and said more should be set aside for technical modernization in hospitals.

Some further highlights:

• “Significant resources should be set aside for technical modernization of hospitals and improving the skills of doctors.”
• “The funds from privatization should be used, first of all, to modernize the economy.  The decisions should be taken on both federal and regional levels.”
• “The main goal is to increase the effectiveness of companies and to attract investment.”
• WTO
  • “First a mutual exchange of technologies... and practical help from the European Union for Russia’s bid to enter the WTO.”
  • “Second, a simplification of the visa regime and total abolishment of the visas in the foreseeable future.”
  • “A significant increase in professional and academic exchanges.”
• Partnerships with the West
  • “These partnerships (with Western countries) will be focused on... the technical modernization of Russia.”
  • “The Russia-American partnership should be used to create large-scale economic cooperation.”
• “We could look into the possibility of a tax exemption on the income tax that results from the sale of shares of innovative companies.”