Russia

Medvedev calls for six-year presidential term

Vladimir PutinMoscow- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called for the extension the presidential term from four to six years in his first state-of-the-nation address since succeeding Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

Medvedev, 43, addressing the country's top political elite, gathered in the Kremlin's opulent St George Hall, said the change would allow the government to carry through more effectively with its reforms.

EU should re-open strategic talks with Russia, Brussels says

BrusselsBrussels - The European Union should re-open talks within days on a strategic deal with Russia which it froze following Russia's invasion of Georgia, the bloc's executive said Wednesday.

"It is the view of the (European) Commission that the next negotiating sessions should be scheduled now," a report on the EU's relationship with Russia from the Brussels-based body said.

EU should re-open strategic talks with Russia, Brussels says

European UnionBrussels- The European Union should re-open talks on a strategic deal with Russia which it froze following Russia's invasion of Georgia as soon as possible, the bloc's executive said Wednesday.

"It is the view of the (European) Commission that the next negotiating sessions should be scheduled now," a report from the Brussels-based body on the EU's relationship with Russia said.

Medvedev calls for rewriting of global financial system

RussiaMoscow  - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called for a radical reform to the global financial order Wednesday, saying the United States has become the affliction and could no longer provide for world markets.

Medvedev said he bring these demands before world leaders at a summit on the financial crisis in Washington on November 15 and seek support for a new international accord.

Medvedev: Russia to deploy missiles in European enclave

Medvedev names replacement for departing president of Ingushetia Moscow  - President Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday Russia would deploy short-range Iskander missiles in its Baltic Sea enclave of Kaliningrad in answer to US plans to site a missile defence system in Eastern Europe.

Dmitry Medvedev calls for extension of presidential term

Moscow - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called for the extension of his term in office to six years in his first state-of- the-nation address on Wednesday since succeeding Vladimir Putin.

Medvedev, 43, addressing the country's top political elite gathered in the Kremlin's most opulent St George Hall, said the proposed amendment was not a reform to the constitution, but rather a "correction."

The basic principles of the constitution would remain unchanged, he said, proposing to extend the presidential term to six from the current four years and the term for lawmakers in Russia's lower house of parliament to five.

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