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During his weekly meeting with the Government Cabinet at the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin raised the issue of the draft 2008–2010 federal budget’s passage through the State Duma.

Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said that, following the draft budget’s first reading, support for the agriculture sector, youth policy and the situation of students are the main areas requiring additional work. The second reading of the draft budget will also examine mechanisms for sector-based wage reforms.

Mr Putin noted that some of the groups in the parliament are attempting to politicise budget policy issues but said that it is nevertheless important to listen and react to all comments on the country’s main financial document.