Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev plans within two days to nominate a candidate for the post of deputy minister for the development of the Russian Far East in charge of the Arctic region, RIA Novosti reports.

"I talked with him [Medvedev] on the phone. I will submit my nomination in writing within the next few days," Trutnev said.

 In a meeting with Dmitry Medvedev on January 18, President Vladimir Putin supported the prime minister's proposal to expand the powers of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East by adding Arctic issues. In addition, Medvedev suggested introducing the post of first deputy minister for the development of the Russian Far East in charge of the Arctic region.

Trutnev declined to tell journalists the name of the candidate he put forward for the post of first deputy minister for the development of the Russian Far East in charge of the Arctic region.

"The prime minister makes decisions about deputy ministers. I only have the right to propose candidates, but the final decision rests with the prime minister. Before he makes this decision, I believe it would be wrong for me to name candidates," Trutnev said.

Earlier he said that the staff of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East would be expanded after issues of developing the Arctic region come under its responsibility.