Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called for a new push to modernise and diversify the country's economy in his annual state of the nation address.AFP - President Dmitry Medvedev called Thursday for Russia to modernize more quickly, but stressed that it should happen through the development of democratic institutions and a market economy. In his annual address to the nation, Medvedev said Russia must diversify its economy away from raw materials exports and strive to become an influential power in the world. "In the 21st century, our country again requires modernization in all areas, and this will be the first time in our history when modernization will be based on the values and institutions of democracy," Medvedev said.
AFP - President Dmitry Medvedev called Thursday for Russia to modernize more quickly, but stressed that it should happen through the development of democratic institutions and a market economy. In his annual address to the nation, Medvedev said Russia must diversify its economy away from raw materials exports and strive to become an influential power in the world. "In the 21st century, our country again requires modernization in all areas, and this will be the first time in our history when modernization will be based on the values and institutions of democracy," Medvedev said.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called for a sweeping modernization of the country. While not criticizing his still-powerful predecessor, Vladimir Putin, Medvedev recommended several breaks from Putin's legacy. While Medvedvev pushed for reforms that would transform Russia into a modern, democratic and economically diverse nation, he was careful to emphasize that the stability of the state remained the first priority. "In the 21st century, our country again requires modernization in all areas, and this will be the first time in our history when modernization will be based on the values and institutions of democracy," he told an audience of about 1,000 political leaders in the Kremlin's ornate St. George Hall. He warned, however, that "any attempts to rock the boat, destabilize the government and rend society under slogans of democracy will be stopped."
While Medvedvev pushed for reforms that would transform Russia into a modern, democratic and economically diverse nation, he was careful to emphasize that the stability of the state remained the first priority.
"In the 21st century, our country again requires modernization in all areas, and this will be the first time in our history when modernization will be based on the values and institutions of democracy," he told an audience of about 1,000 political leaders in the Kremlin's ornate St. George Hall. He warned, however, that "any attempts to rock the boat, destabilize the government and rend society under slogans of democracy will be stopped."
MOSCOW -- President Dmitri A. Medvedev on Thursday called for sweeping reforms to modernize Russia's economy and revamp crumbling industrial and military infrastructure, all while strengthening the country's democratic institutions.Mr. Medvedev addressed these issues, as well as corruption and law enforcement, in his annual state of the nation speech."In the 21st century, our country again requires modernization in all areas, and this will be the first time in our history when modernization will be based on the values and institutions of democracy," Mr. Medvedev said.
Mr. Medvedev addressed these issues, as well as corruption and law enforcement, in his annual state of the nation speech.
"In the 21st century, our country again requires modernization in all areas, and this will be the first time in our history when modernization will be based on the values and institutions of democracy," Mr. Medvedev said.
