Russian PM urges swift passage of anti-crisis package

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday called for the swift passage of a anti-crisis package by next week, one day after the government unveiled the 21- billion-U.S. dollar plan to help the country weather the current economic hardship.

"We have already dealt with these issues during the 2008-2009 crisis and we have positive experience," the government press service quoted Medvedev as saying. "It is important to preserve the conditions for economic development and macroeconomic stability."

Citing several reasons behind current difficulties in the Russian economy, such as structural disproportion, "fundamental collapse" of oil prices, the fallout of the 2008 financial crisis and international pressure, Medvedev said "We must understand we have to pay prices for the decisions we made."

On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said the government needed 1.375 trillion rubles (21 billion U.S. dollars) to finance the new anti-crisis plan designed to revive the economy.

According to Medvedev, a large portion of the funds will be allocated from the federal budget and the National Welfare Fund, as well as through the provision of state guarantees.

The plan will focus mainly on enhancing economic growth, supporting certain areas and ensuring social stability, the prime minister said, adding that the government would consider the necessary allocation of reserve funds to help strategic enterprises and sectors, such as agriculture, construction and transportation.

Moreover, Medvedev promised that social obligations would always be a priority for the government despite any economic hardship.

"Whatever difficulties the economy faces, the priority of the government and the state is to fulfill social obligations," Medvedev said, promising that the government would work hard to stabilize the prices of the staples, support pension and medical system, and raise welfare for the unemployed. Endite