MOSCOW, April 24 (RIA Novosti) Russian politicians would want to hear about the solution of social issues, protection of liberal values and the strategy for cooperation with CIS countries in the presidential Address to the Federal Assembly. The Annual Presidential Address sets short-term strategic tasks for the Federal Assembly, explained Vice-Speaker of the Federation Council (upper chamber) Svetlana Orlova in an interview with RIA Novosti. She said she wanted to hear about the solution of social issues in the Address.
Orlova also expressed hope that the presidential address will shed some light on the ways of state support of small and medium business.
Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Constitutional Legislation Vladimir Pligin told RIA Novosti he believed that Putin would address the issues of protection of liberal values.
"I believe that the address will touch upon the issues the President has addressed before - the protection of liberal values, especially those that are related to the stability of the institute of ownership," the lower chamber deputy said.
State Duma Vice-Speaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky said that the president may name the priorities in the life of the country in his Address.
"Probably, he would announce five priorities - sciences, education, defense, road infrastructure and housing," Zhirinovsky told the journalists.
"He might also present the assessment of the relations with CIS countries and defined priorities in this area, as well. It will include relations with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan - all those that are not oriented on other centers," Zhirinovsky stated.
Chairman of the Federation Council's Committee on Foreign Affairs Mikhail Margelov also expressed hope that the Address will outline Russia's strategy for relations with CIS countries.
"It is time to shed the burden of irresponsibility in the relations with CIS countries inherited by Russia from the 1990s, to forget the notion that CIS countries are "former Soviet republics," and to build relations with these countries using other methods," the Federation Council member has said.
Another important issue related to the relations with CIS countries Margelov would want to be outlined in the presidential address is Russia's policy toward the European Union and the United States.
