Vladimir Putin: Russia should not feel shy of being regarded as raw material and energy exporter

President Vladimir Putin called not to feel shy because of Russia's being regarded as a country with raw material and energy exports. He made this call Friday at the congress of the Russian Rectors' Council underway in Moscow.

According to Putin, some countries are considered agricultural ones and they are proud of it. That's why Russia should not be ashamed of being a country with raw material and energy exports. It would be only strange not to use all the resources we have apriori in our depths, the Russian president stated.

He stressed that Russia has gained strong positions in energy markets and has no intention to lose them.

At the same time, the current task is not only to use natural resources at our profit, but also not to lag behind the key tendencies of the world economic development, Putin said. According to him, even the most efficient exploitation of natural resources will not bring Russia the determining positions in the world economy. It is expedient to use high technologies, including transportation, energy and communications, he noted. According to Putin's estimate, Russia is still using its vast scientific and education potentials insufficiently. We are incapable to attract them to take an adequate place on the information and communication map of the world and in the international economic markets, the Russian president stated.