Prime Minister Vladimir Putin made a speech at the meeting of the Presidential Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
I have two remarks.
First, I want to comment on deadlines for carrying out the adopted decisions. Indeed, red tape is a universal problem for us, and seriously impedes the implementation of our Olympic projects.
At the same time, I'd like investors to understand that neither crisis phenomena nor red tape should cause delays in starting the construction of facilities. Mr Kozak has received instructions on this matter.
We'll try to closely monitor the implementation of all our agreements. If some investors believe that they are unable to honour their commitments, they had better say so in time. This concerns not only those present here but investors on all Olympic projects. We are able to react to changes in time but statements to this effect should be open, honest, and timely. This is the first remark.
The second remark does not seem to have a direct bearing on the preparations for the 2014 Olympics, but is about an important circumstance to which I'd like to draw your attention. In the second half of April of this year, Sochi residents will elect a mayor. I'm hoping very much that they will elect a responsible, competent, professional, and decent person, that they elect a professional capable of effectively developing the city, clearly formulating goals, and carrying these goals out. The future mayor should be capable of adapting Olympic projects to Sochi's development because our ultimate objective is to build one of Europe's biggest resorts in the city. The future mayor should be able to develop good business relations with the Olympstroy Corporation, the administration of the Krasnodar Territory, and the federal center. We have allotted an additional 17.5 billion roubles for Sochi's development through 2014. This sum should be spent on its development rather than on the Olympic programme and projects.
We know well that election campaigns here are loud at every level, and, regrettably, are always accompanied by dirty tricks.
I hope that Sochi residents will not allow anyone to use the Olympic project for one's own ambitions, which have nothing in common with their interests. I believe that the leaders of the territory and the city's acting mayor should pay serious attention to this.
Many thanks.
