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30 November 2010
Last updated at 04:58 ET
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has begun making his annual state-of-the-nation address in parliament in Moscow.
With just two years to the next presidential election, the speech is being closely watched for signs he will seek re-election for a second term.
Many believe his powerful predecessor, Vladimir Putin, will seek to return to the Kremlin in his place.
Mr Medvedev said Russia's budget deficit needed to be lowered if the country was to develop effectively.
Russia is running a budget deficit of 2.1% of GDP though the figure is expected to rise to 4.6%, the Associated Press news agency reports.
Mr Medvedev said the aim was to reduce annual inflation to 4-5% over three years. It currently stands at 7.4%.
While the economic situation was "complicated", Mr Medvedev said there were encouraging signs.
Unemployment had fallen from seven million people to five since "the peak of the crisis" and the country's sovereign debt was "minimal in size", he said.
People's real income had also risen by 5% over the past year.
Three children or more Talking about Russia's population concerns, he argued that parents should be encouraged to have at least three children.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
"In the next 15 years we will feel the demographic effects of the 1990s when the birth rate was low," he said.
"This is a serious threat. It is a challenge to our whole nation. According to experts, a good way to get over the demographic crisis is to radically increase the number of families with three or more children."
Mr Medvedev spoke long about children's welfare, protecting them from crime and encouraging an active lifestyle.
"The 26 million children and adolescents living in our country should comprehensively develop, grow healthy and happy, and become decent citizens of their country - this is our number one task," he said.
On education, he said it was unacceptable for teachers to lag behind their own pupils in their knowledge of information technology.
Among the audience for the speech was Mr Putin, who has been serving as prime minister since leaving office in 2008.
Just a few days before the speech, in his video blog, Mr Medvedev warned Russia was in danger of "political stagnation" if it did not create a more level playing field for opposition parties.
Analysts have been wondering if this was a deliberate criticism of the political system largely built by Mr Putin while president.
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With just two years to the next presidential election, the speech is being closely watched for signs he will seek re-election for a second term.
Many believe his powerful predecessor, Vladimir Putin, will seek to return to the Kremlin in his place.
Mr Medvedev said Russia's budget deficit needed to be lowered if the country was to develop effectively.
Russia is running a budget deficit of 2.1% of GDP though the figure is expected to rise to 4.6%, the Associated Press news agency reports.
Mr Medvedev said the aim was to reduce annual inflation to 4-5% over three years. It currently stands at 7.4%.
While the economic situation was "complicated", Mr Medvedev said there were encouraging signs.
Unemployment had fallen from seven million people to five since "the peak of the crisis" and the country's sovereign debt was "minimal in size", he said.
People's real income had also risen by 5% over the past year.
Three children or more Talking about Russia's population concerns, he argued that parents should be encouraged to have at least three children.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
A good way to get over the demographic crisis is to radically increase the number of families with three or more children”
End Quote
Dmitry Medvedev
Russian president
"In the next 15 years we will feel the demographic effects of the 1990s when the birth rate was low," he said.
"This is a serious threat. It is a challenge to our whole nation. According to experts, a good way to get over the demographic crisis is to radically increase the number of families with three or more children."
Mr Medvedev spoke long about children's welfare, protecting them from crime and encouraging an active lifestyle.
"The 26 million children and adolescents living in our country should comprehensively develop, grow healthy and happy, and become decent citizens of their country - this is our number one task," he said.
On education, he said it was unacceptable for teachers to lag behind their own pupils in their knowledge of information technology.
Among the audience for the speech was Mr Putin, who has been serving as prime minister since leaving office in 2008.
Just a few days before the speech, in his video blog, Mr Medvedev warned Russia was in danger of "political stagnation" if it did not create a more level playing field for opposition parties.
Analysts have been wondering if this was a deliberate criticism of the political system largely built by Mr Putin while president.
Powered by WizardRSS | Best Membership Site Software