Last state-of-the-nation address: Putin

Moscow, Apr 26: President Vladimir Putin today said in his annual state-of-the-nation address to the joint session of the Russian Parliament that this would be his last, before he steps down from the Presidency in 2008. "In the spring of 2008, my Presidential term will expire and the next annual state-of-the-nation address to the Russian Parliament will be delivered by another head of state," Mr Putin said in his address to the deputies in the Kremlin.

He said since it was his last address to Parliament, many expected that it would be devoted to an analysis of his time in office since 2000, as well as his recommendations for the future.

'' I believe, it would be untimely for us to give an analysis of our work today and it is too early for me to speak of my 'political will','' Mr Putin said.

Under the Russian Constitution, the President can be elected for two consecutive terms of a maximum of four years.

President Putin started his televised address by calling lawmakers to observe a silence in memory of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin who was laid to rest yesterday in the Novodevichy cemetery.

He announced the decision to set up a presidential library in Russia in the memory of Mr Yeltsin.

'' A decision has been made to establish a presidential library, which could become an informational link for the entire library network of the country. This project should be completed by the end of next year. I propose naming this library after Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin, the first President of Russia,'' Mr Putin said.

UNI