Putin said that 2007 was a year of smooth economic development in Russia.

　　On February 8, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at the meeting of the State Council, summing up his achievements in eight years in power. Russia will hold a new presidential election on March 2. Xinhua News Agency reporter Shen Bohan photo

　　Xinhuanet Moscow, February 14 (Reporter Lu Jingli, Liu Yifang) Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the annual large-scale press conference held in the Kremlin on the 14th that 2007 was a year of smooth economic development in Russia.

　　Putin said that Russia’s economic growth rate reached 8.1% in 2007, the best figure for many years. The real income and pension of Russian residents have improved to some extent.

　　Putin said that in 2007, Russia’s foreign exchange and gold reserves reached nearly 500 billion US dollars, the stabilization fund reached 3.84 trillion rubles (1 US dollar is about 24.5 rubles), and the securities market developed at a record speed.

　　This is the seventh time Putin has held an annual large-scale press conference in the Kremlin.

　　Xinhua News: Russian President Vladimir Putin held an annual large-scale press conference in the Kremlin at 12: 00 Moscow time on 14th (17: 00 Beijing time on 14th) to answer reporters’ questions on Russia’s domestic and foreign policies.

　　Xinhua News: Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the annual large-scale press conference held in the Kremlin on the 14th that Russia "will have to take preventive measures against the US missile defense system deployed in Eastern Europe".

　　Xinhua News: Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the annual large-scale press conference held in the Kremlin on the 14th that Russia-China cooperation has played an important role in maintaining world stability.

　　Xinhua News: Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the annual large-scale press conference on the 14th that he never wanted to be president for the third time, and expressed support for the first deputy prime minister Medvedev as the next Russian president.

　　Xinhua News: Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference held in the Kremlin on the 14th that Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence was "immoral and illegal".

Editor: Zhou Zhongxiao