9 November: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has called for a large-scale modernization of the transportation system in Russia, promising to attract up to one trillion rubles ($33 bln) in private investment.(VEDOMOSTI)
9 November: Russia “cuts a new window to Europe” with the official launch of the Nord Stream, the first direct pipeline bringing Russian natural gas to European consumers.(Kommersant)
The agreement between Russia and Georgia - brokered by Switzerland - that will enable Russia to join the WTO, is a diplomatic success. Its implementation will however be fraught with problems.