PM Warns Russia Faces 'Abyss' without Economic Reform

Russia's economy is at a crossroads and the country risks falling into the "abyss" if it does not make serious reforms to boost long-term growth, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned on Friday.

In a major article for the economic daily Vedomosti, Medvedev sought to reclaim the mantle of a champion of economic reform that he sought when he held the presidency from 2008 to 2012.

He painted a dark picture of the potential consequences of failing to improve the investment climate, labor productivity and legal system in Russia and indicated the country faced historic choices.

"The moment for simple decisions has passed," he wrote. "We cannot underestimate the economic challenges that stand in front of us today."

Medvedev said the current economic forecasts for Russia were "quite pessimistic" and weighed down both by external circumstances and "the burden of unsolved problems" at home.

He said Russia's economic growth was unlikely to exceed two percent in 2013, which will be the first year since 2009 that the country has grown slower than the global economy as a whole.

"We are at a crossroads," he said.

"Russia can continue its very slow movement with close to zero economic growth. Or it can make a serious step forwards. The second path is fraught with risks -- but following the first path... is even more dangerous.

"It's the way to the abyss," he added.

Medvedev said Russia needed to encourage private business, especially in innovation, radically improve labor productivity and ensure "quality state management".

In the two-page article, he did not once mention his mentor Vladimir Putin, who preceded and succeeded him as president, and who many analysts say missed the chance to implement serious economic reform.

Russia remains hugely dependent on its oil and gas resources and economists say it risks stagnating with low growth rates in the medium term if it fails to diversify its economy.

Medvedev made noises about seeking radical change while president. But he disappointed many supporters by agreeing to hand the presidency back to Putin with the reform agenda largely untouched.