Russia should continue its efforts to turn...

"We should continue our efforts to lay the legal foundations for an international financial center in Russia," Medvedev said.

Medvedev said in mid-2008 that turning Moscow into a financial world center and the ruble into a leading regional reserve currency was central to building a competitive financial system in Russia.

Early last year the Russian leader said the ambitious task should not be abandoned, despite the global financial crisis.

Russian lawmakers are due to adopt a whole series of related legislative amendments to assist the creation of the center.

GORKI, February 9 (RIA Novosti)