OREANDA-NEWS. September 15, 2008. The meeting began with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the plane crash in Perm.

Mr Medvedev discussed the current situation in the world following the events in August with the business community members and also discussed the current state of the economy, the situation on financial markets and continued expansion of economic freedom.

The President stressed that protecting Russian business interests not only at home but also abroad is one of the state’s priorities.

Mr Medvedev said that making Russia more competitive requires active work to develop financial institutions, encourage technological modernisation of the economy, continue developing small and medium business and create the conditions for attracting investment.

The President reaffirmed Russia’s desire to join the World Trade Organisation on acceptable terms and stressed that Russia will not change its economic policy principles and priorities, which include protecting property rights, strengthening the judicial system and fighting corruption.

Mr Medvedev called on the meeting’s participants to support the initiative of a group of Russian businesspeople to set up a fund to aid those affected by the events in South Ossetia.