Official website of the President of Russia

Pavel Astakhov submitted a report on the performance of the Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights since his appointment to this post.

Dmitry Medvedev and King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein reviewed the prospects for bilateral relations and current international issues, in particular ways to resolve the crisis in North Africa and the Middle East.

Officers appointed to senior command positions in the law enforcement and security agencies were presented and had their senior military (special) titles conferred at a ceremony held in the Grand Kremlin Palace’s St George Hall.

Salaries, improving workers’ social status, vocational training, economic incentives for employers to improve labour conditions and safety, and monitoring compliance with legislation were the subjects of discussion.

Dmitry Medvedev gave the main outlines for development efforts in the aviation sector over the coming years. Priority tasks include modernising civil aviation airport infrastructure, upgrading civil aviation fleets, raising the quality of air transport services and making them cheaper, and building up the country’s military aviation capability.

Dmitry Medvedev and Sergei Sobyanin discussed ways to address Moscow’s urban planning and transport issues. The Mayor of Moscow also informed the President on the progress of the capital’s healthcare development programme.

At its 22^nd meeting, the Commission for Modernisation and Technological Development of Russia’s Economy summed up the results of its efforts to support the engineering profession and technical education.

Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Dmitriev discussed measures to support small and medium-sized businesses and the establishment of the Direct Investment Fund.

Sergei Smirnov briefed Dmitry Medvedev on the results of a special operation in Ingushetia conducted by the FSB, Investigative Committee, Defence Ministry and Interior Ministry.

Dmitry Medvedev answered questions and listened to students' suggestions concerning the modernisation of technical education in Russia and enhancing the prestige of the engineering profession.

Acting on the President’s instructions, the rescuers worked in Sendai and Ishinomaki, the Japanese towns hardest hit by the earthquake and tsunami. The rescue operations took place on March 15–22, 2011.

The meeting, held in videoconference format, reviewed implementation of a number of top priority presidential instructions, including developing a programme for monitoring execution of presidential instructions in real time, making the state procurement system more effective, organising summer holiday activities for children, and implementing anti-corruption legislation. During the videoconference, Dmitry Medvedev signed an executive order introducing new procedures for executing his instructions.

On the eve of the Interior Ministry Troops’ 200^th anniversary, the President decorated servicemen who have shown heroism and courage in the performance of their duties. The ceremony took place at the Kremlin.

New entry on Dmitry Medvedev’s blog concerns the development of nuclear power worldwide.

Dmitry Medvedev continued a series of meetings on developing engineering education and training of engineers and technicians for Russia’s industry.

Dmitry Medvedev and PNA President Mahmoud Abbas reviewed the current situation in the Middle East and topical issues of the Palestinian-Israeli dialogue.

Dmitry Medvedev took part in an expanded meeting of Interior Ministry Board.

Establishment of a fund to attract foreign investments to the Russian economy was the subject of discussion.