Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had a meeting at the Government House with Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov
Sergei Mironov: As you know, the Federation Council has a Government Hour during practically every session, when we meet with ministers and deputy prime ministers. This is the current practice. Unfortunately, in recent years the Prime Minister has never taken part in the Government Hour at the Federation Council. On behalf of my colleagues I would like to ask you to schedule, perhaps as early as the autumn session, your personal appearance at the Government Hour at the Federation Council.
Vladimir Putin: Agreed. I think it is a pleasant duty. We will certainly meet with our colleagues and talk and select the issues which in our opinion are of greatest interest and are most relevant in terms of economic and social development. We will talk. I am sure it will be a useful conversation.
Sergei Mironov: In that case I would like to ask you about something else. You see, we already have a tradition that at the end of every session, in winter and spring, the leaders of the Federation Council, that is, my deputies and me, come to the White House, and meet with the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers. I wonder if you think it is possible to continue this tradition and this good practice.
Vladimir Putin: Of course, I am aware of this practice. Such meetings discuss the most pressing problems in the lives of our people. Of course we will preserve that tradition. However, we must prepare for these meetings so that we deal with practical matters that call for joint efforts of the legislative and executive branches.
