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. Enditem