President Putin Instructed United Russia Party with Determining Country's Strategic Tasks

Leaders of the United Russia party have briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on the agenda of the forthcoming party congress, said chairman of the party's Supreme Council Boris Gryzlov after his meeting with the President in the Kremlin.

Vladimir Putin "actually charged" the party with taking part in the work on strategic plans of the country's development, according to Gryzlov. Apart from this, they discussed the need for public control on the part of the United Russia. "We are not a party created for elections only, but a party created for life," he emphasised.

The party's co-chairman Mintimer Shaimiyev pointed out that the meeting paid serious attention to the party's set-up in the regions. The United Russia party should be ready to take part "in all elections at all levels", to come to understanding with heads of administrations and of power bodies at all levels, he believes.

The party's other co-chairman, Sergei Shoigu, said that the conversation also touched upon the party's programme and the changes to its Charter to be discussed at the forthcoming congress. The programme "should become a task" for the next parliament's deputies, he pointed out.

The United Russia is already quite a success, Shoigu believes.