“On December 4 both chambers of the Federal Assembly will convene in the Grand Kremlin Palace to hear the address of the president,” Valentina Matviyenko said.
The event is scheduled to begin at noon, Moscow time (GMT +3).
According to the Russian constitution, the president addresses parliament every year with a speech focusing on the country's current situation and on the main aspects of domestic and foreign policy. Leaders of the Constitutional, Supreme and Arbitration courts, regional governors, heads of traditional religions and other prominent public figures take part in the event along with deputies and senators.
The first such address was made by the first president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin, on February 24, 1994.
Last year, the annual address took place on December 12. The president announced a number of important initiatives, in particular, municipal reform and fair rules for offshore companies. He also talked about the development of Russia's Far Eastern and Siberian territories, despite the difficult economic situation.
