Democracy is vital to Russia's economic prosperity - premier
KRASNOYARSK. Feb 15 (Interfax) - Political system reforms and democratic processes are crucial to maintaining economic growth in Russia, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.
"What I, as a resident of Russia and a person who coordinates development processes in our country, am absolutely sure of is that we will not be able to enjoy economic prosperity without democracy. It is our place in the sun, as you can call it," Medvedev said at the Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum.
A popular opinion appeared in Russia in the 1990s that economic development and the creation of an effective economy "might as well go ahead without democracy and changes in the political system," the prime minister said.
But democratic processes are key to maintaining economic growth in Russia, he said.
"That is why, in my opinion, any discussions that something should first be moved to the forefront, as certain political forces have proposed today, are inappropriate," Medvedev said.
