Russia`s Putin praises Tashkent summit
[Presenter] Russia should develop immunity, so that negative events occurring on the international market do not
affect Russia's interests. This was discussed today [21 June] at a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and
government members. Putin also summed up the results of the recent summits. Lyudmila Moiseyenko has the details.
[Correspondent] Today's meeting with the cabinet of ministers in the Kremlin summed up the results of the recent
summits - the G8, Shanghai Cooperation Organization [Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan],
the Eurasian Economic Community [Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan] and the Collective Security
Treaty Organization [Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia]. Vladimir Putin thanked everybody
who participated in preparations for the events. All goals Russia set were achieved.
[Putin] We have significantly moved forward in strengthening partnership links in all these areas. I'd like to
specifically emphasize our work with Uzbekistan, where we agreed with its leadership to sign a very important document -
the treaty on strategic partnership. This is changing the quality of Russia's relations with the Republic of
Uzbekistan in general.
[Passage omitted: Long-term multiple visas to France and Italy available for Russian businessmen.]
[Correspondent] Another major point at the meeting was the movement of capital into and out of Russia. The law on
currency market regulation, which has come into force, should simplify the procedures. The finance minister [Aleksey
Kudrin] gave a report on this to the president. Russia is joining the world currency system and this is a serious step
towards a convertible rouble. However, since the law came into force, the country can sometimes find itself dependent on
events on the world market.
[Kudrin] Last Friday [18 June] the Central Bank introduced a whole series of instructions that ensure that such
opportunities can be used. However, specific measures will depend on the state of the market, the grounds for and
necessity of preventive measures on the market against the movement of speculative capital, which can quickly disrupt
the payment balance and influence the currency rate and inflation in our country.
[Putin] How long could these restrictive measures be in place?
[Kudrin] The measures could be in place for two years only. In two years, after a transition period, these measures
will be cancelled by law, and it will not be possible to introduce them again.
[Correspondent] Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov was absent from the meeting in the Kremlin today. He had good reason.
He is currently in Tallinn at a meeting of the heads of government of the members of the Council of the Baltic Sea
States.
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