New laws to tackle corruption could be introduced in Russia by the end of the year. Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev has called on parliament to develop a modern anti-corruption package.

Medvedev is set to sign off a plan of guidelines that will help lawmakers in their task.

He says that new laws on economic activity and the civil service will also be necessary if the fight against corruption is to be effective.

Medvedev made his comments at his first meeting as president with the leaders of all four parties in parliament.

He said: “We understand that corruption is a very serious evil and it's impossible to quash by just using criminal measures. It needs to be a whole block of bills which are focused on economic problems, status problems, questions on public service, and I hope we can do all this before the end of this year. Then we can enter the new year with a modern and quality law to counteract corruption.”