Distribution of powers between the federal and regional authorities and major social issues, in particular in pre-school education, were the subjects on the agenda. Dmitry Medvedev also announced at the meeting that he has signed a law simplifying the procedures for reappointing incumbent senators.

Dmitry Medvedev discussed the agriculture sector’s problems and outlook with sector workers and also summed up the latest harvest campaign’s preliminary results.

The agenda included the federal programme for developing the Far East and Trans-Baikal regions, which is due to begin in 2012, and also the negotiations on Russia’s accession to the WTO, and more stringent legal liability for setting up fly-by-night companies.

During his trip to the Krasnodar Territory, Dmitry Medvedev visited the 393^rd Sevastopol military air base in Korenovsk and viewed the new residential area Rainbow, built for the servicemen of the Southern Military

In Krasnodar, the President watched the finals of the second presidential rowing regatta and presented awards to winners in the competition.

During his trip to Krasnodar, Dmitry Medvedev visited the modernised Krasnodar Thermal Power Station. The President learned about the work of the combined cycle station and took part in the launch of a new power unit.

Dmitry Medvedev sent his greetings to residents of the Republic of Adygea on the twentieth anniversary of the republic’s foundation.

Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Russia’s educators on Teacher’s Day and presented the award to the national contest winner, biology teacher Alexei Ovchinnikov from Lipetsk Region. 

The State Council Presidium meeting focused on improving the quality of housing and utilities services. In particular, the participants discussed upgrading the housing and utilities infrastructure, the efficiency of housing stock management and the authorities’ coordination and oversight activities in the sphere of housing and utilities services.

Dmitry Medvedev held a meeting with Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoys to the Federal Districts on the housing and utilities sector’s preparations for the winter season.

During his meeting with culture professionals from Vyazma, Smolensk Region, Dmitry Medvedev discussed the problems and prospects of the region’s cultural development, in particular, the restoration of cultural monuments in the region and attracting young professionals.

The current situation in the housing and utilities sector in the regions and the sector’s preparedness for the heating season were the main subjects on the agenda.

Ms Komarova briefed Dmitry Medvedev on the social and economic situation in the region, in particular the efforts underway to resolve housing problems.

Dmitry Medvedev held a meeting with Valentina Matviyenko, who had been elected speaker of the Upper House of Parliament.

Mr Kozhemyako briefed the President on the social and economic situation in the region in general and on the situation in the region’s higher and vocational education sectors.

Dmitry Medvedev and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev took part in the VIII Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum. The main item on the agenda is the organisation of the two countries’ joint efforts in cross-border emergency situations.