VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Vladimir Putin's opening remarks:
Good afternoon, colleagues.
Today we hold the final session of the Budgetary Commission devoted to the draft federal budget for 2009-2011.
The main questions under this document have been almost resolved, including within the framework of the so-called zero reading of the budget with the participation of the representatives of Duma parties and members of the Federation Council.
We have taken into account the suggestions to increase the expenses on pensions and medications, salaries for federal employees, support of agriculture, the development of a network of federal universities, as well as some other important directions.
I would like to note that for the first time in 2009 we are beginning to provide financial support for the programme of promoting a healthy lifestyle, giving up smoking and alcohol abuse. For these purposes 830 million roubles have been allocated.
We are also increasing the financing of medical help to oncology patients by 6.3 billion roubles, and the funding of programmes to reduce the death rate from cardiovascular illnesses will increase to 3.2 billion roubles.
The main subject today is the discussion of the interdepartmental disagreements still remaining right now. As a matter of fact, there are not too many of them, and today we should be able to resolve these questions.
But before we begin these discussions, I would like to express my opinion on the request of the Ministry of Culture.
I consider it necessary to support this request and to substantially increase the financing for these purposes.
In 2010 it is being planned to allocate an additional 14.9 billion roubles, and 21.5 billion roubles in 2011. This money is supposed to be used as grants for creative groups, for the restoration of museums, theatres, libraries and other facilities, for the construction of new buildings and structures of this nature, and for planned events in the cultural sphere.
As you know, in 2009 the expenses for culture will increase by 20.9% in comparison with 2008, and will reach 113.9 billion roubles from the federal budget. This increase is considerable, but, as you know, it is connected mainly with the need to finish the restoration of the Bolshoi Theatre and continue the construction of a new stage at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg. And going further, after 2009, we have previously planned a decrease because of the conclusion of these restoration projects.
But it is necessary to note that in addition to these leading theatres, there are many other cultural facilities in our country. It is necessary to keep this level of financing, redirecting these resources to other facilities, including those in other regions of the Russian Federation.
I would like to remind you that on August 21 the final version of the draft budget will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting, and on August 26 it should be submitted to the State Duma.
Let us begin the discussion. We would now like to listen to the report by the Minister of Finance, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Kudrin.
