Putin And Kasyanov Discuss Situation On Financial Markets

Presidential press secretary Alexei Gromov announced today that President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov had discussed the situation on the global financial and commodity markets during a Kremlin meeting this morning. Kasyanov also informed the president about preparations for the State Duma's third reading of the 2002 budget, as well as bills connected with military reform. Moreover, other issues were discussed, in particular, the privatisation programme for next year.