Functions of ministries and agencies to be reviewed

Before the end of the first quarter of 2004, the stock taking of the Russian ministries and agencies' functions will be completed as part of the administrative reform.

"I think that before the end of the first quarter, the commission [for the administrative reform] will complete the stock-taking of the ministries and agencies' functions and decide to cancel excessive functions," said Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov.

On the whole, he positively assessed the progress of the administrative reform. "There is a lot of work done in a normal pace," said Kasyanov.