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In his opening remarks, the Russian president expressed his satisfaction with the newly adopted agreements on energy supplies and transit between Russia and Belarus.

These agreements envision reducing Russian subsidies to the Belarusian economy. The transition period, however, will be long, which Vladimir Putin said constituted Russia’s payment for a smooth and friendly way of converting to market relations, as well as Russia’s assistance to the Belarusian people.

Other issues included Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov’s scope of work report on the government program encouraging Russians abroad to resettle at home, and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov’s report on the results of the fall drafting campaign and on the prospects of reducing the term of conscript service.