Medvedev appreciates Guriev’s contribution to expert council work – Abyzov

(Interfax – MOSCOW, May 29, 2013) Minister for Open Government Mikhail Abyzov expects to continue cooperating with economist Sergei Guriev who reportedly resigned from the post of rector of the New Economic School.

“I am confident that our cooperation with Sergei Guriev will continue despite the decision, whether he formally remains a member of the expert council and government commission or not. We will discuss that with him shortly. For me personally he remains a close comrade and like-minded person which is much more important than any formal status,” Abyzov said in a statement received by Interfax on Wednesday.

“Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and I as the minister responsible for the operation of the Open Government system highly appreciate the contribution of Sergei Guriev to the work of both the expert council with the Russian Federation government and the government commission for coordinating the activities of the Open Government of which he is also a member,” Abyzov said.

On Tuesday some media reports said that Guriev resigned from the position of the head of the New Economic School but the press service of the school refuted the reports. On Wednesday Vedomosti newspaper said that Guriev may step down from many positions due to pressure from the authorities after publicly supporting opposition figure Alexei Navalny.