Russian President's Advisor highly assesses budget forecast till 2005

Russian Presidential Advisor on Economy Andrei Illarionov highly estimated the budget forecast that had been presented at the government's session on Thursday for an average-term perspective.

"It is a very useful document and a serious step in the right direction," Illarionov told journalists.

According to him, if the government manages to implement the principles, fixed in the document, the country will stand some chances for a stable economic growth in the future." Illarionov gave priority to the cabinet's intention not to increase state expenses. In the future the state expenses will even slide down by 1-1.2% year in year out, the presidential advisor remarked.