The meeting on the navy shipbuilding prospects was held at Sevmash (Northern Machine-Building Enterprise) in Severodvinsk. In his speech, the President pointed out that Russia already has the necessary conditions, including the scientific foundation and industrial structures, in order to successfully accomplish a key challenge of creating a fighting core within the Russian Navy by 2020.
At the expanded State Council Presidium meeting held in Arkhangelsk Dmitry Medvedev emphasised that improved energy efficiency is a major prerequisite for the Russian economy technological modernisation.
In his remarks, the President listed the steps to be taken by authorities, namely setting strict energy efficiency standards and effectively monitoring their observance, providing government anti-crisis assistance to manufacturers actively saving energy resources. Authorities should employ both incentives and sanctions in order to encourage businesses to cultivate energy efficiency.
Mr Medvedev noted that while dealing with the problems of today, the challenges of the future must be addressed as well. In particular, he stressed the importance of developing alternative sources of energy, launching innovative projects, and implementing new technological solutions.