OREANDA-NEWS. April 9, 2009. Dmitry Medvedev sent his greetings to delegates and guests at the VII All-Russian energy forum Russia's Fuel and Energy Complex in the XXI Century.

In his message the President said, in particular:

“The fuel and energy complex is a strategic sector of the national economy. Its effectiveness is crucial for developing Russia’s industrial and export potential, transport infrastructure, and resolving many social problems.

Our strategic goal today is to build a modern innovative economy. This requires us not only to develop promising new deposits, but also to carry out extensive modernisation of the fuel and energy complex. Priority tasks include widespread advanced technology implementation, a transition to producing higher value-added oil and gas products, attracting new investment, and of course, building up the sector’s human resources.

Today, the development of a global energy security system has become an especially relevant issue, and it is important to secure Russia’s place in this process as not just one of the major suppliers of fossil fuels to the world market, but also as a full-fledged participant in the energy dialogue with the world’s leading countries and most influential international organisations.

I am sure that you will make detailed analysis of all of these issues during your discussions, and will come up with specific recommendations and decisions that meet practical demands. It is precisely at forums such as this that fresh ideas and useful initiatives are born.”