Another point is that ultimately, as far as the budget is concerned, of major importance is who offers more money during the bidding that must be organized as a part of the privatization process. In this sense, we cannot discriminate against any market participants, not one of them, but this is not relevant at the moment, as the Government has decided to postpone the privatization of Bashneft.

Some countries have a parliamentary republic, some are presidential republics and some are still monarchies, but no one sees them as not being democratic. In some countries regional leaders are appointed from the centre and in others they are elected. In Russia, the president is elected through direct secret ballot, and in the United States, the president is elected through a system of electoral colleges.

We certainly would not want to have the same kind of democracy as they have in Iraq, I can tell you quite honestly.

I have worked like a galley slave throughout these eight years, morning till night, and I have given all I could to this work. I am happy with the results.

Respect for sovereignty means to not allow unconstitutional action and coup d'états, the removal of legitimate power.

Even with the help of anti-Russian propaganda in the mass media, Germany has not succeeded in damaging this sympathy.

I simply noted that one of the groups, especially exporters, would prefer to have a weaker rouble.