OREANDA-NEWS. January 28, 2013.  Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Dmitry Medvedev: Let's discuss current affairs. I have signed a Government resolution on adjusting pensions for inflation. We do this every year to make up for growing prices on goods and services. Starting February 1, we will adjust the insurance portion of pensions for old age, disability and loss of breadwinner. More than 37 million pensioners will have their pensions adjusted. Naturally, the state will continue fulfilling all commitments it has assumed.

I'd like to say a few words about one more social issue – the federal standard of pre-school education. Experts, specialists on education, doctors and parents took part in the elaboration of this standard, but nonetheless it will be subjected to broad public discussion in March. Pre-school education is the foundation for a child's school years. Obviously, we must do everything in our power to develop the abilities of our children and support their creative attitude to the world. Ms Golodets, you have dealt with this standard. What can you say about it?

Olga Golodets: Indeed, we have involved the best specialists for elaborating the standard for pre-school education. Now special hopes are pinned on pre-school education, because it is acknowledged everywhere in the world that this is the golden age for the development of a personality, and that the skills that children acquire at this age stay with them for the rest of their lives. It is interesting that the work on developing this standard involved both school and pre-school education specialists and teachers, as well as many members of the general public.

The results were vastly different, and there were serious discussions, as the expectations of parents and teachers largely contradicted those of experts. Substantial efforts were made to draw together the opinions of teachers and the general public regarding the standard. The standard is being developed, and it relates to top standards of the global community and approaches largely recognised by European countries for child development. In March, we will be ready to introduce the completed standard for discussion by the general public. We are developing professional standards simultaneously, so that the introduction of pre-school education will go hand-in-hand with training a new array of pre-school teachers. I believe that this, along with the programme on eliminating kindergarten enrollment queues, will have a very substantial effect for the country. We have to resolve the issue of pre-school education. Thank you.   

Dmitry Medvedev: Okay, thank you.

Another issue we are paying close attention to is road traffic safety. We are approving various documents in this area. However, the statistics remain highly disturbing with regard to human deaths and injuries, as well as drunk driving. Unfortunately, toughening penalties is a necessity – but accurate and proper evaluation requires recording what occurs. Many motorists have expressed their indignation over the fact that video recording of traffic violations is made without notifying them, and about some road traffic officers purposely “hunting” violators instead of ensuring traffic safety. The signed governmental resolution introduces amendments to the road traffic regulations, with a special road sign, “Video Recording,” to be installed in accordance with road markings, starting from mid 2013, at the sites where collection of evidence takes place. I think this is right, as road traffic regulations must be followed both by drivers and traffic officers.

Now, a few words on natural resources. At a recent meeting in Siberia, we spoke about offshore exploration in the seas of the Arctic and the Far East, as well as on some other opportunities. Today, we will hear specific information on bids for the right to use subsoil areas in our northern territories. Such procedures have been held in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area. Mr Dvorkovich [addressing Arkady Dvorkovich], what are the results of the bid and what are the plans for 2013?