Parliament kills Moskalets amendment

The State Duma on Wednesday overwhelmingly rejected a headline-grabbing amendment to federal law that would effectively have allowed some elected officials - including the president - to remain in office almost indefinitely.

Parliamentary speaker sees no systematic approach in Russian government's efforts

The speaker of Russia's Federation Council said Thursday that he did not see a systematic approach in the government's efforts to achieve the goals it sets.

Doubling GDP possible with active regional participation - Mironov

- Speaker of Russia's Federation Council upper house of parliament Sergei Mironov said the task of doubling the Gross Domestic Product is achievable if each province increases its local GDP two-fold.

Federation Council working out program to implement President's address

The program of Federation Council activities designed to fulfill the instructions of the President's address will be adopted before the closing of the council's spring session, Sergey Mironov, chairman of the Federation Council, has stated at the meeting of the Council of Legislators today. He observed that at that moment the program was almost prepared, and it would be considered at one of the last meetings of the chamber.

Russian Upper House 'Trapped' into Accepting Extra Revenue Division - Speaker

Text of report by Russian Channel One TV on 22 June

[Presenter] The Federation Council endorsed amendments to this year's budget today. The senators were, however, critical of the government. Dmitriy Kochetkov has the details:

Federation Council to reject budget amendments

Federation Council chairman Sergey Mironov has not ruled out that a bill on amendments to the 2005 federal budget may be further discussed by a conciliatory committee.

Russia expected to ratify state border agreement with Estonia

.As Sergey Mironov, chairman of the Federation Council, has told journalists today, he believes that Russia must ratify the treaty on state borders with Estonia without any reservations. In his opinion, Russia will ratify the document in the near future.

Mironov: Moscow Won't Agree to New Clauses in Border Agreement

Russia will not agree with the clauses the Estonian parliament introduced during the ratification of the bilateral border agreement, said Sergei Mironov, speaker of the Federation Council.

9th International Economic Forum Ends in St. Petersburg

The 9th International Economic Forum ended in St. Petersburg on Thursday.

Russia's Lukoil To Build 40 Gas Stations In Macedonia

Macedonian PM Vlado Buckovski and President of the Russian oil company Lukoil Vagit Alekperov Tuesday in St. Petersburg signed agreement for cooperation and investment of Lukoil in the Republic of Macedonia.

Success of CES Means Strengthening of CIS Integration –S. Mironov

Success in creation of Common economic space of Russia, Byelorussia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan will mean significant strengthening of integration origins between the states, said chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Sergey Mironov at Petersburg economic forum.

International Economic Forum opens in St Petersburg

Some 2,000 people from 64 countries will attend the Ninth St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will be held in the Tavrichesky Palace on June 14 to 16. Some 500 Russian and foreign journalists will cover the work of the summit meeting of the political and business elite. The Forum, to be held under the patronage of the Russian President, has been organised by the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly and the Federation Council. The motto of the Forum is “Effective economy-good living.” Sergei Mironov, Chairman of the Federation Council, is the head of the organising committee of the Forum.

Russia to control 10-15% of global hi-tech market

Russia can control 10-15% percent of the global hi-tech market, annually receiving $120-180 billion, Federation Council (parliament's upper house) Speaker Sergei Mironov told an international conference on innovations, technologies, investments and the role of public and private organizations at the ninth St. Petersburg international economic forum.

Upper House Speaker Mironov Glad to See Dzasokhov Among Members of Federation Council

The rich experience of Alexander Dzasokhov, the former President of North Ossetia, will certainly be useful in the Federation Council, speaker of the Upper House Sergei Mironov told journalists on Tuesday.

Russia to Host World Congress on Military Medicine

St. Petersburg is the first Russian city to host the 36-th World Congress on Military Medicine. The Congress is to open June 6 at the historic Tavrida Palace.