MOSCOW - The implementation of the federal program “Administrative reforms” will start in 2005, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov told reporters on Thursday.

He said the program would be considered by a committee for administrative reforms soon. According to Mr. Zhukov, the Economy Ministry will prepare the draft of the program within two weeks. The work schedule of ministries and departments will be established within the framework of the program, as well as standards for services provided by them.

Mr. Zhukov said the government was going to submit the draft to the State Duma before the third reading of the federal budget for 2005, so that allocations could be provided for the program. At the same time, he noted that this would not lead to an increase in the total budget expenditures.

According to Mr. Zhukov, the experience of other countries shows that administrative reforms are “rather costly”. “In our situation, I hope we will manage to minimize the costs,” he concluded.

For his part, Agriculture Minister Alexey Gordeyev believes it necessary to coordinate the work of ministries within the framework of administrative reforms. “Each minister should realize what his tasks are,” he stressed. Mr. Gordeyev suggested that all ministers should submit analytical reports about the work of their ministries during administrative reforms, to the government. He said the implementation of the reforms should be analyzed carefully.

The Russian government discussed the implementation of administrative reforms on Thursday. According to the Cabinet’s press service, the government was also expected to consider issues connected with the preservation of the cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia, as well as amendments to the Russian Criminal Code and the bill “On the ratification of the Cooperation Treaty of the Commonwealth of Independent States in the Sphere of Fight against Terrorism”.