Mikhail Fradkov is optimistic about prospects for his approval by parliamentarians

Candidate to the post of Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov optimistically evaluates the prospects of his approval in the State Duma.

He told journalists upon his arrival in Moscow on Tuesday, "I accepted the president's offer. I am ready to work, and I look at the situation with optimism." Today Fradkov plans to begin consultations preceding approval of his candidature in the parliament's lower chamber.

"This will take several days, and as these processes go active work to prepare proposals on the government's structure will proceed," the candidate to Prime Minister said.

Fradkov does not see anything negative in defining the Premier as a technical figure provided this word is a synonym of "technocrat." "For now, I have no clear idea of what a 'technical Prime Minister' is. If it has the same root as 'technocrat' I am not against it. I will try to do my best to cope with the task set," Fradkov stated.