OREANDA-NEWS. February 16, 2011. “It is natural for any government to analyse what has been done and how it has been done, what goals have been achieved, what mistakes have been made, and what needs to be done to avoid mistakes and develop efficiently in the future. For all intents and purposes, every government has the responsibility to look ahead.”
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Ladies and gentlemen. In late December 2010, we met with the leading experts at the Higher School of Economics. Naturally, they were mainly experts from that university. We discussed the most crucial social and economic issues and the priorities for Russia's development strategy in the post-crisis world. It was then that we decided to hold expert meetings like this on a permanent basis. I am glad that this initiative was translated into something practical.

We all know that parliamentary elections will be held later this year and that the presidential elections are scheduled for March of next year. So, we have about a year to go. It is natural for any government to analyse what has been done and how it has been done, what goals have been achieved and what mistakes have been made, and what needs to be done to avoid mistakes and develop efficiently in the future. For all intents and purposes, every government has the responsibility to look ahead.

I would like to thank the Russian Academy of National Economy and the Higher School of Economics for the contributions they've made to the preparation for and implementation of this project.

A total of 21 expert groups have been set up thus far to assess issues ranging from macroeconomics and healthcare to lifting administrative barriers and strengthening Russia's position in global markets. As agreed, these expert communities include representatives of federal and regional authorities, scientific and business circles, the Russian Academy of Sciences, universities, leading business associations, and prominent experts and analysts. I also consider it necessary to involve foreign experts in this work.

It is worth mentioning that the initiative to organise expert discussions of the country's development strategy itself provoked an interested and vigorous reaction. Various scientific, educational, and public organisations have submitted hundreds of proposals for their representatives to be included in these panels. This should serve as an indication that this work is important and that the issues being discussed are topical and indeed crucial for Russia and its national prospects.

I would like once again to commend all those who responded to our initiative to organise an extensive expert discussion...