OREANDA-NEWS. Transcript of the beginning of the meeting: Dmitry Medvedev: Let’s discuss some current issues.

The first thing I’d like to mention is the expiration of this year’s state defence contracts on April 15. This concerns research and development programmes, the delivery and disposal of weapons, military equipment, chemical weapons as well as mobilisation preparations. We have always adhered to the contract terms. But to be honest, these contracts haven’t always been successful, with too many delays, etc. This year, the total volume of defence orders and the jobs within the orders have increased by about 8%.

Mr Rogozin (addressing Dmitry Rogozin), how’s it going now? What’s the current status of state defence contracts? What’s been accomplished and what hasn’t?

Dmitry Rogozin: Mr Medvedev, we worked with the Government last year to develop a system of control over the signing and implementation of these contracts, and we have achieved some results.

Dmitry Medvedev: By tightening up.

Dmitry Rogozin: I’d say the measures are more preventive than tightening. First, the Government now oversees the work of the Federal Service for Defence Contracts, which exercises control over the contracts by tightening regulations both for state agencies and the contractors.