Official website of the President of Russia

Dmitry Medvedev presented orders, medals and certificates on conferring honorary titles to 39 Russians.

Dmitry Medvedev informed the meeting participants that he has signed three laws aimed at further improving the national political system. In particular, these laws will help to reduce the number of election law violations.

Dmitry Medvedev discussed measures to improve the investment climate in Russia with representatives of the judicial community.

Dmitry Medvedev held a meeting On Prospects for the Harvest and the Current Situation on the Grain Market.

Dmitry Medvedev held a joint session of the Council for Culture and the Arts and the Council for Science, Technology and Education devoted to preparations for celebrating the 1150^th anniversary of Russian statehood.

Dmitry Medvedev’s working visit to Vladimir began with a meeting with historians.

Issues discussed included improving workers’ financial conditions, employers’ provision of social guarantees, possible effects of Russia's further integration into the global economy on workers’ social situation, as well as social protection mechanisms and forms of organisation of the working process for new categories of workers that have emerged from the introduction of modern technologies.

Dmitry Medvedev met with independent directors and government representatives within boards of directors and supervisory boards at companies with state participation.

Dmitry Medvedev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel took part in the 13^th round of Russian-German interstate consultations. Following the meeting, a package of documents on the future development of bilateral cooperation was signed.

Dmitry Medvedev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attended the closing session of the XI Petersburg Dialogue Russian-German public forum. The theme of the session was ”Citizens, society and the state: Partnership for modernisation.“

Dmitry Medvedev called for a thorough investigation into all the circumstances surrounding the Bulgaria’s sinking. The President stressed the need to not only establish the accident’s causes, but also learn the necessary lessons so as to avoid future tragedies of this kind.

Dmitry Medvedev met with SME managers from Zarechny in Penza Region and discussed problems faced by entrepreneurs in the region.

Dmitry Medvedev received letters of credence from eleven new ambassadors to the Russian Federation from Argentina, Burundi, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, India, Rwanda, El Salvador, Vatican, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia and Japan.

Dmitry Medvedev and President of Switzerland Micheline Calmy-Rey took part in the ceremony inaugurating the new Shchurovsky Cement Plant in Moscow Region. The plant is owned by Swiss Holcim Group, and around 500 million euros were invested in its modernisation.

The politicians discussed the outcomes of the completed session of the State Duma, issues of developing the political system and improving legislation.

Sergei Sobyanin and Boris Gromov presented to Dmitry Medvedev their proposals on changing the borders between Moscow and Moscow Region in order to better develop the capital and the surrounding region.

Subjects of discussion included implementing the proposals Mr Medvedev made in Magnitogorsk and at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, and current issues of concern to the business community.

Dmitry Medvedev declared July 12 a national day of mourning for the large number of victims in the sinking of the cruise ship Bulgaria. The President made the announcement at meeting on the disaster, which took place on the Volga River on July 10.