1/8 Tass 294
LAKE SELIGER, Tver region, August 1 (Itar-Tass) —— Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said his tandem with President Dmitry Medvedev was an affective tool for running the country.
“On the whole, the notorious tandem, which has been spoke of so much, has become an effective tool,” Putin said at a meeting with the participants in the Seliger-2011 youth forum on Monday, August 1.
“I have known Dmitry Anatolyevich [Medvedev] for a long time and we have worked together quite a lot. We have identical views on fundamental aspects of national development and international affairs. But we are different people, of course, and we can have different tastes,” he said.
“But it is very important that we have built such a style of work when we hear each other, listen to each other and make balanced and well considered decisions within our jurisdiction,” Putin said.
But he was evasive when asked about his plans for the presidential election slated for 2012.
“As for the future, it’s not far away. Some time will pass and we will consult you on what we should do next,” Putin said.
Putin was asked whether he would come there again next year and in what capacity.
“Do you plan to visit Seliger?” Putin asked in return.
“Tell me frankly. Is it interesting for you to sit here with me, talk, ask questions and get answers?” he asked the young people.
“Is it so important in what capacity I am?” he added.
“No,” the young people answered all together.
“That answers your question,” Putin said.
Putin first visited the forum in 2009. Forum organisers plan to show to the prime minister the best projects presented by the participants this year. These include proposals on how to regulate traffic and deal with traffic jams, introduce energy-saving technologies, fight unscrupulous retailers that sell products past their shelf lives, and promote healthy lifestyles.
Putin also plans to talk with more than 4,000 participants in the “Politics” shift to discuss various aspects of life in the country, including domestic political issues.
Seliger is a youth educational forum held since 2005 on Lake Seliger in the Tver region, near the city of Ostashkov (370 kilometres from Moscow). The Federal Agency for Youth Affairs is the organiser of the forum.
This is an educational mega project that brings together the leaders of Russian youth organisations and thousands of the best students who are interested in politics, economics and innovations.
In 2005, the forum was attended by 5,000 people. Nowadays no less than 15,000 young and talented people who have their own projects come to the forum.
Before coming top the forum each participant goes through strict selection procedures in his respective field. Shift organisers choose the best and most successful ones.
Nine thematic shifts have been held within the framework of the Seliger-2011 forum: Innovations and Technical Creativity; Entrepreneurship; Information Flow (journalism); Politics (public initiatives); Technology of the Good (Volunteerism); ARTPARADE (creativity); a fitness shift called “Run after Me”; “Everyone is at Home” (housing and utilities); and an international shift.
Traditionally, some prominent figures come to the forum every year. This time, high-ranking representatives of the executive and legislative branches of government, regional governors, entrepreneurs, mass media top managers, athletes, writers, artists, and actors addressed the forum participants.