MOSCOW, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Russia's economy has grown by about 7 percent on average in the last three years, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday while delivering his state of the nation address to the parliament.

    It was Putin's 7th address to the parliament during his tenure.

    Putin sees arms race booming at new technological level

    MOSCOW, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday urged the international community to pay attention to the fact that the arms race has reached a new technological level.

    "It is too early to speak about an end to the arms race. In fact, it is unfolding, and has reached a new technological level, thus posing a threat of the appearance of an arsenal of so-called destabilizing weapons," Putin said in his annual state of the nation address at Kremlin. 

    Putin calls for measures to fight population decline

    MOSCOW, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday called for measures to increase the birthrate to reverse the persistent population decline in the country.

    In his annual state of the nation address, the president said there was a "consensus in society" that Russia's demographic problems must be tackled.

    Putin said the government would take measures to encourage young couples to have more children. -->>>

    Putin calls for full convertibility of ruble by July 1

    MOSCOW, May 10 (Xinhua) -- President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said Russia should accelerate the work aimed at achieving full convertibility of the Russian currency ruble by July 1.

    "In the 2003 address, I put forth the task of switching to the full convertibility of the ruble. Certain plans were made and I should say that they are being carried out. Today, I propose accelerating the abolishment of the remaining restrictions and completing this work by July 1, 2006," Putin was quoted by the Inter-fax news agency as saying in his annual state of the nation address.

    Nuclear industry reforms should strengthen Russia's position on world market: Putin

    MOSCOW, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Massive reforms in the Russian nuclear industry should be aimed at strengthening Russia's position on the world market, President Vladimir Putin said in his annual state of the nation address to the parliament on Wednesday.

    "Today, steps are needed to develop nuclear energy and energy based on safe new generation reactors. Russia's position needs to be strengthened on world markets of the nuclear engineering industry by fully applying our knowledge, experience, the newest technologies and international cooperation. Restructuring the nuclear industry should help resolve this task," Putin said. -->>>

    Russia not to be intimidated by WTO membership: Putin  

    MOSCOW, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said here on Wednesday that Russia's bid to enter the World Trade Organization (WTO) should not be used as a bargaining chip to push Russia on other issues.

    "The negotiations for letting Russia into the WTO should not become an instrument for bargaining over questions that have nothing in common with the activities of this organization," Putin said in his annual state of the nation address at the Kremlin.

    Putin's remarks were directed to the United States, which barred Russia's entry to the 149-member global trade body. -->>>