Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday many Russians were ready to receive online electronic public services.
The Russian government aims to create an electronic public service system, intended to help fight corruption and red tape among regional officials.
"Perhaps [Russia is] less [prepared] than other European states, but we know that tens of millions of our citizens regularly use the Internet. They make a significant part of the population... If they use the Internet, then they are ready to receive such [online] services," he said.
According to a report on www.internetworldstats.com, Russia has the world's eighth largest population of Internet users of over 45 million, or 32.3 % of the country's total population.
The Russian president admitted that the introduction of a virtual government in Russia is "a separate issue, which requires attention."
"It is a kind of revolution in the way people think," he said.
Medvedev, who portrays himself as a young and technologically savvy leader, made the development of science and technologies one of his top priorities.
He approved the initiative of creating a state e-mail service last year. The service, expected to be launched by the end of 2010, will provide Russians with the opportunity to apply for various documents and receive them by e-mail, without having to stand in long lines.
TVER, July 8 (RIA Novosti)
