KALININGRAD, July 2 (RIA Novosti) - Doubling GDP and reducing poverty are the top priorities for the country's authorities, said President Vladimir Putin.Speaking at a session of the State Council, Putin said, "we will be unable to take these issues off the agenda until we solve them." "With this in mind, we must shape an adequate modern regional economic policy meeting the requirements of the time," said the Russian leader.
The president instructed the government to work out specific mechanisms for a brand new system of relations with the regions.
Putin said economic growth, social development and better living standards were the responsibility shared by all levels of power.
The president continued that a lot had been done to encourage regional economic development. In particular, the new political mechanisms helped raise the role and the status of the regional authorities.
"Therefore, all these - the new order of electing regional top executives and stronger authority of regional legislatures, elections using party lists, and our decisions today - should be used to the full for the good of people and for intensifying regional economies," said Putin.
