Medvedev’s Speech at Stanford

More stage photos below, with Condoleezza Rice and George Shultz.

Medvedev’s comments, from the real-time translation:

“I want to share 10 goals for Russia:

1) Education is the cornerstone for growth

2) Better transparency and less corruption

3) IP rights

4) Leading in energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy

5) We need a financial system for modernization. We are a potential reserve currency for our partners. The financial crisis has shown that you need a balanced basket of reserve currencies.

6) The most important task is the health of our citizens. We have done a lot and are still doing a lot about demographic decline. The death rate is going down. We must reform healthcare.

7) Russia is a young democracy. Our political system is constantly developing. But we, certainly, are not guaranteed against mistakes and are ready to improve our political system. We need a trustworthy judicial system. My task as the president is to raise the respect of the court system as much as possible and to provide an effectively working justice system, which is trusted by citizens, on this foundation.

8) Stability has special importance to use. In the last 28 years, Russia has experienced rough turbulence. It has changed out attitude toward life. For many, these years have been a serious trial. I am convinced that a stable system must be open to change. In the Caucuses, there are national torments and dire economic straits, with 30-40% unemployment in some regions. And corruption and clan relations create forces for destabilization. We need to tackle this as soon as possible.

9) Russia is a predictable international partner. Our foreign policy will be consistent and understandable to our own citizens. With firmness in protecting our interests, Russia’s foreign policy is forward looking.

10) Russia will remain a responsible member of the global system. These are topics for the G8 and G20 meetings. We should aim at removing nuclear weapons from the world.

In conclusion, Russia is trying to be an open country – open to partners, ready for new investment and trade. I invite all in the room today to work with Russia.”

From the photos, there was one remarkable detail. His eyelids are down in a full 80% of the photos. I have never seen this before.

I’ll post some more shots below.