MOSCOW, August 26 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin heads to the Tatar capital of Kazan Friday on a whirlwind two-day visit.
Putin is scheduled to head a session of the Russian State Council Friday to discuss internal and external policy, along with strengthening the single vertical of federal power.
Later on Friday Putin will attend the CIS summit along with the heads of 12 other countries. They will hold a news conference after the session.
In the evening, Putin is scheduled to attend a ceremonial meeting dedicated to the city's 1000th anniversary.
On Saturday, Putin is scheduled to attend the Common Economic Space (CES) Summit, involving member-states Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. He will also participate in the grand opening of the new Kazan subway, construction on which began in 1996.
Putin will watch a horse race for the prize of the Russian president Saturday night.
