Ex-Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev visits Novosibirsk

Ex-Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, now leader of the Social-Democratic Party of Russia, has praised positive processes in the economy and social life of the Novosibirsk region (Western Siberia). He made special mention of Novosibirsk's achievements in the development of the agro-industrial complex.

Speaking of the political and economic situation in the region, Gorbachev emphasised that "the region's leadership is effectively realising the policy aimed at protecting the interests of the majority of the population".

Gorbachev spent June 13-14 in Novosibirsk, where he attended a theoretical seminar, "Prospects of Social Democracy in the World, in Russia and in the Regions." Gorbachev toured a number of industrial enterprises, and had a meeting with student youth in Novosibirsk State Technical University and Teacher-Training University.