Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Belarus on Setting the Prices (Rates) for Natural Gas Supplies to the Republic of Belarus and Natural Gas Transit via Pipelines in the Republic of Belarus.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Ratification of the Agreement on the Basic Principles of Currency Regulation and Currency Control in the CIS.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Amendments to Articles 25 and 256 of the Federal Law on the Exit from and Entry into the Russian Federation.

Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting of the State Council Presidium on improving the investment attractiveness of Russian regions and creating a positive environment for business development.

On the eve of the New Year holidays, Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Government members where he summed up the results of the Government's work in the past year and outlined the priorities for 2013.

Vladimir Putin, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev took part in a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

Vladimir Putin took part in a meeting of the Council of Legislators dedicated to addressing key priorities, including those identified in the Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly.

Vladimir Putin made annual Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation which outlines priority targets for national political and economic development.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea on Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investment.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the United Arab Emirates on the Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investment and the Protocol to the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the United Arab Emirates on the Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investment.

Vladimir Putin chaired a State Council Presidium meeting on developing the Far East and the Trans-Baikal Territory.

Mr Artemyev briefed Vladimir Putin on the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service’s efforts to attract investment in Russia’s economy.

Mikhail Mishustin briefed the President on the Service’s performance in 2012.

Vladimir Putin also congratulated all the employees of tax authorities on their professional holiday.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Ratification of the Protocol on Amendments to the Agreement on Application of Special Protective, Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Measures Against Third Countries of January 25, 2008.

During his meeting with members of the Valdai International Discussion Club, Vladimir Putin talked about the current state of the Russian economy and scenarios for Russia’s economic development.

Vladimir Putin held the first meeting of the Council for Economic Modernisation and Innovative Development, which was established in June this year.

The two presidents discussed bilateral relations in priority economic sectors, gas sector cooperation, and Ukraine’s cooperation with the Customs Union.

During the meeting, which took place late the previous evening, Mr Kostin briefed Vladimir Putin on the services the bank offers to the public, including a new consumer lending scheme and expansion of the bank’s regional branch network.