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Russian president introduces his political heir to heads of CIS states â€“ UPDATED

22 February 2008 14:36 (UTC +04:00)

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing the summit offered to prepare CIS strategy on innovation and new economy by 2020. Vladimir Putin said that the priorities of this strategy should be the development of economy aiming to increase competition and acceleration of socio-economic development.
He underlined the importance of protecting CIS citizens coming to Russia from xenophobia.
â€œWe all understand that nationalism and xenophobia are directly connected with the regulation of the problem of migration by the authorities. Therefore, we have made the decisions on economy and small business taking into consideration the protection of the people coming from CIS member states to Russia,â€ he said.
Vladimir Putin noted that he had ruled Russia for eight years. He expressed his gratitude to the heads of CIS states for joint cooperation and introduced First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as his political heir. He said he had known Medvedev for 17 years and he was the closest member of his team. According to Vladimir Putin, if Medvedev wins the presidential elections, Russiaâ€™s foreign policy in terms of CIS will not change.
Dmitry Medvedev stated that CIS would be the priority of Russiaâ€™s foreign policy and economy.
â€œThe relations established basing on neighborhood and long-lasting cooperation among our countries and nations have no alternative,â€ he said.
Chairman of CIS, President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev chairs the summit. Heads of all CIS states participate in the summit. This is the last time Russian and Armenian presidents Vladimir Putin and Robert Kocharian participate in the summit in this post.