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
“We all know that the end of the talks is not the end of the road. In fact, it is the beginning of some difficult work within the WTO framework. We should make full use of the advantages of our access to new markets to promote Russian products, while at the same time minimising the risks which are hindering the work of our companies abroad.”
“We realise that winning the competition for direct investment and creating highly attractive conditions for business will help us be victorious in our struggle for the efficiency of the Russian economy and for a new quality of growth. This is precisely why our economic policy, our business climate, and our conditions for foreign investment inflows, the creation of new production lines and innovation should be truly competitive. <…> This means we shouldn’t just make our economic policies more effective, we should also constantly compare our moves and their results to what is happening in other countries. We should try to act faster and more decisively than our potential competitors do.”
“I am convinced that our WTO membership will provide a long-term powerful impulse for the dynamic and innovative growth of our economy. Its openness and increased competition will benefit the Russian people, and our manufacturers will receive the necessary impetus for further development. Our WTO membership is also about new markets and new prospects that we are not yet accustomed to seeing and assessing properly. Finally, membership in the WTO provides the possibility to defend our interests in a civil and legal manner.”
“The completion of negotiations on our accession to the WTO will create the conditions necessary for Russia to join another multilateral structure: the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. We are already conducting such work. Accessing the OECD would mean stamping a global mark of quality on our economy, both in general, and in terms of individual manufacturers.”
“Russia intends to continue promoting its security and protecting its national interest by actively and constructively engaging in global politics and in efforts to solve global and regional problems. We are ready for mutually beneficial cooperation and open dialogue with all our foreign partners. We aim to understand and take into account the interests of our partners, and we ask that our own interests be respected.”
“We will continue on our constructive course to enhance global security, renounce confrontation, and counter such challenges as the proliferation of nuclear weapons, regional conflict and crises, terrorism and drug trafficking. We will do everything we can to see that Russia enjoys the latest achievements in scientific and technical progress and to assist our entrepreneurs in occupying an appropriate place on the world market.”
“Russia is part of the greater world whether we are talking about the economy, media coverage or cultural development. We do not wish to and cannot isolate ourselves. We hope that our openness will result in a higher standard of living for Russia plus a more diverse culture and a general level of trust, something that is becoming increasingly scarce.”
“We intend to be consistent in proceeding from our own interests and goals rather than decisions dictated by someone else. Russia is only respected and considered when it is strong and stands firmly on its own feet. Russia has generally always enjoyed the privilege of conducting an independent foreign policy and this is what it will continue to do. In addition, I am convinced that global security can only be achieved in cooperation with Russia rather than by attempts to push it to the background, weaken its geopolitical position or compromise its defenses.”
“Most importantly, in addition to the current balanced economy and solid macroeconomic indicators, Russia also enjoys basic, long-term and powerful advantages. Our core resource consists of a talented, creative, well trained and educated people. This is an enormous treasure and a good starting point from which to launch modern manufacturing processes.”
“Russia is the world’s sixth largest economy and has all it takes to become a top five economy. I’m confident that this will happen. We ended last year with good results if you look at the aggregate economic outcome. Without exaggeration, this is one of the world’s best results. Economic growth over 4% is one of the best rates among G8 members. No, not just one of the best, it actually is the best result among other large European economies.”
“WTO membership creates better conditions for attracting investment to this industry; this is an obvious fact. We will be able to attract investment primarily to processing, to the food industry, to gain a foothold for our products at foreign markets, to protect domestic producers from unfair competition inside Russia as well as abroad. It is clear that after the accession to the WTO, we should not relax; we should understand and consider the many subtleties of WTO membership.”
“Russia must play a bigger part in the international division of labour, not only as a supplier of commodities and energy, but as an owner of regularly upgraded cutting-edge technology in at least some sectors.”
“The goal that we have set for ourselves is to propel economic growth to at least six per cent, or better still, to seven per cent per year, and to join the ranks of the world’s top five economies within five years. We must achieve this through growth, not because of a contraction in the world’s major economies. Over the next decade, Russia needs to increase GDP per capita by 50%, from the current $20,700 (let’s speak in terms of dollars) to over $35,000. This year’s GDP growth rate is estimated at 4.2%, probably even 4.5%.”
“We want to join the World Trade Organisation. This is our goal and our objective. In our opinion, this would have a generally positive impact on the Russian economy, mostly because it will increase the level of trust in the economy, and on the administrative and legal procedures within the economy.”
“Russia's entry to the WTO does not mean completely and automatically opening our markets to foreign products. We will certainly protect sensitive positions with higher customs tariffs. We will do this in strict accordance with the World Trade Organisation's regulations. <…> Russia will retain the ability to use all possible tools for supporting domestic producers. I am referring to special protective anti-dumping and compensation measures, which are widely used by WTO countries.”
“Naturally, Russia's entry into the WTO will improve the access of our national goods – traditional goods and high-tech exports, which we have expanded year after year – to foreign markets.”
"Since 2000, Russia’s arms exports have grown by almost 150%. They have also expanded geographically. Today we are cooperating with 85 countries of the world. I would like to emphasize that Rosoboronexport’s activity, like Russia’s military-technological cooperation in general, is proceeding in strict conformity with Russian legislation and international law as well as with the non-proliferation regimes now in effect. We fully consider all potential risks for security in the regions where we are exporting arms and are very careful to the established balance of forces there. We never take action that could upset such a balance."
“We certainly support the efforts of Russian petroleum companies to improve their situation on foreign markets, whether their plans concern the development of new oilfields or oil refining.Such projects bring our companies closer to consumers abroad, while the exchange of assets and investments enhance confidence in the global energy industry, make it more predictable and sustainable, and level out supply and demand”.
“We, both Russia and Kazakhstan, are at a rather advanced stage of preparations for WTO membership. There are still some matters to settle, but it will certainly be easier to do this bilaterally on the Customs Union's behalf than in the tripartite arrangement, because the more participants there are, the more problems there are, as every country defends its own economic interests and the number of contentious issues grows. This is evident. Certainly, it will be easier to join the WTO in the bilateral format. However, I want to point out that this is not a reason or pretext for not developing tripartite cooperation with Belarus included. We will do this.”
“We do have such plans (holding WTO), but we haven't joined the WTO yet. We are currently negotiating. As you know, these issues are very complicated. Just look at Ukraine's accession terms, at the losses Ukraine's economy has sustained by abolishing certain customs duties, for example. Just look at the aircraft industry. We cannot do this because we cherish our aircraft sector. This is a complicated negotiating process for us.”
In 2004 and 2005 we began discussing the issue of writing off a large portion of the Iraqi national debt to the Russian Federation. We eventually came to an agreement with the Iraqi government and wrote off an unprecedented 90%, which is also a large amount in absolute terms, over $10 billion. Iraq is still in a predicament, but the situation was even worse at that time. Our efforts were meant as support and assistance for the new Iraqi leadership in their aspirations to restore the country's economy. From the very beginning we anticipated that the Iraqi government would welcome our oil and gas companies' entrance into the Iraqi oil market. What has happened is a positive result of this, a welcome event.
"I would like to single out the intergovernmental agreement on labour migration. It greatly facilitates the procedure and paperwork for entry for enterprise managers, the staff of offices and subsidiaries. It envisages considerable preferences for high-skilled specialists as well as young people who want to acquire an education or a new profession in one of our two countries."
"I don't even need to mention hydrocarbons. Here, French companies enjoy most favoured status. They are expanding their presence in extraction ventures and now will take part in transport. Major Russian and French companies are expanding cooperation to new levels. They plan to exchange assets, starting today. This is very important."
"French companies are increasing their investment in the Russian economy. I told Mr Prime Minister that France has surpassed the United States in this respect, and this is not the limit. We are convinced that Russian businesses will invest much more in the French economy and vice versa. For our part, we will do everything to facilitate this process."
"However, the Russian petrochemical industry has one great competitive advantage: It has a unique resource base. Russian and foreign investors see significant potential in the industry. Modernising it will not require massive government support. It is true that infrastructure support and legal maintenance are required, with state guarantees sometimes needed as well. But these are cost-effective measures, and it is easy to find financial resources in the market."
"Russia accounts for 9-10% of the world's crude oil exports. However, the Russia's export share for high-technology conversion products such as polymers stands at only 1%. Moreover, imports account for over a third of domestically consumed petrochemical products. Simply put, we export crude oil and import final products, which are often produced from Russian crude. This doesn't mean that we must close the Russian market to imports. The situation must be changed in the industry, and we must create conditions for increasing exports of products with high added value."
"New Russia had to start building a market economy and creating modern legal institutions practically from scratch, in very difficult conditions. Our partners – foreign companies which invested in Russia – did not find it easy, either. Nevertheless, I am confident that the majority of our foreign partners did not regret their choice. This is demonstrated by numerous successful projects in the Russian economy."
"It is important to make the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) more effective, and step up the formation of an efficient anti-drug mechanism within the SCO. The heads of the agencies concerned agreed on this at their meeting last May."
"As for cultural, we have encouraging prospects to expand joint educational projects and youth contact within the SCO. We have established a regular practice of Education Weeks and forums for university rectors. The SCO Youth Council has also been a success. The SCO University will probably open soon, too."
"We have already drafted an action plan. The joint actions are listed in today's Statement on fighting infectious diseases. We also propose discussing an arrangement to coordinate the actions of the member states' medical services in such emergencies."
"The developments in our region, especially in Afghanistan and around it, call for more energetic and coordinated actions from foreign ministries and security agencies. We know how much effort our Afghan counterparts are making and must support them as much as we can."
"We should make full use of the advantages and benefits of cooperation in the post-crisis period of development. The Joint Initiative of Global Economic Crisis Counteraction, which we are to adopt today, provides a good basis for this. This document will allow us to coordinate anti-crisis measures within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation."
"Economic problems inevitably arise due to labour migration. In accordance with the agreements reached at our previous meeting in Astana, we have begun a discussion on a range of related issues. It is important that this discussion cover policies against illegal migration, and readmission, and the streamlining of procedures for legal guest workers to protect their rights and legal interests. We must protect them, but we will only be able to do so when the procedures are well-regulated."
"Coordinated efforts by customs services of the member-countries, depending on the competence and mutual understanding of their staffs, are also important. Coordinating the actions of member state customs services is also important and depends on staff competence and a level of mutual understanding. The protocol on cooperation in training and advanced training of customs officers, also to be signed today, will help significantly increase efficiency. In addition, we have discussed improvement of customs services' interaction at a bilateral meeting with our Chinese colleagues."
"As for Opel, I hope the contract is one of the first steps leading to European economic integration. Every cloud has a silver lining, and the crisis has laid bare many of the problems of mismanagement. This concerns many Western companies, among others, and General Motors is no exception."
"It might be easier today, however, to settle problems with countries with which Russia has lasting economic and political ties. Germany is Russia's principal partner in Europe and the world. Our number one partner in many respects. Exports to Russia have helped Germany retain several hundred thousand jobs. The fact is worth repeating: because Russia consumes German commodities and services, several hundred thousand Germans kept their jobs due to our partnership."
"As I have said, I am pinning great hopes on the expansion of Magna's presence - in particular, on sharing a part of its knowhow with Russia. I hope it will tell on Russian industrial production."
"The troubleshooting plan proposed by such an influential company as Magna has been recognised as the best possible option for investors and, even more so, for Opel employees in Germany and other countries. That is essential. I am interested in it, to an extent, because Opel has two plants in Russia."
"As for purchasing Opel stock, I want to make it understood from the start that the Russian Government is not directly involved but approves Sberbank's participation in the transaction. This is primarily because Sberbank is one of the largest creditors of the Russian automotive industry and has long-established contacts with it."
"As for the second line of the ESPO pipeline project, we have not removed this issue from the agenda. We will address it as the production rate grows in East Siberia. [Russian] companies tell us they are prepared to produce 50-80 million metric tons [of oil] annually there. This would be enough to fill the pipeline and make it commercially expedient."
"Attempts to exclude Russia from making decisions of worldwide importance, especially in the field of energy, and to ignore its legitimate interests are counterproductive."
"The people often ask whether Russia could have avoided the crisis and all of its negative consequences. Of course not. That was simply impossible. It is an illusion. The problems appeared elsewhere and not through our fault. Although nobody doubts this obvious fact, the problems have affected virtually everyone, including Russia."
“We have already developed a good working relationship in this sphere. We are ready to switch from the implementation of individual projects, which we have carried out successfully, to full-scale partnership between Siemens and our company, Rosatom. We could actively work both in Russia and Germany, and in the markets of other countries.”
“The Russian economy is open. The rules we introduced on July 1, 2007, fully liberalise the financial market, and they stay valid despite financial hardships. We will treat foreign investors on a par with Russian. We protect their interests when they comply with the rules and laws of their host country.”
“We are discussing economic partnership now, and we have not given up the prospects of joining the World Trade Organisation. We will carry on talks with our American partners, and we hope they will support Russia's entrance to that international economic agency on standard and acceptable terms.”
“We would like Russian energy to be an inseparable and organic part of the world energy, to function according to common rules, to make due profits, and secure the interests of its partners.”
“I firmly believe that dialogue between producers should be encouraged consistently. The key role in this process should belong to an organisation such as the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. I want to stress that such actions are fully compliant with international law.”
“In our opinion, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) should become a permanent organisation, with a charter and a headquarters, representing the interests of gas producers and exporters in the international market, or at least upholding their interests and encouraging civilised market relations with consumers. It must express the cohesive position of its member states on key current issues and on development prospects in the gas sector.”
“Consumer countries also have responsibilities. They should make long-term commitments to buy specific amounts of these commodities on predictable terms. In addition, "transit" countries play a special role in global energy security, as they are responsible for the stable operation of the transport infrastructure, and for controlling risk during natural gas shipments. These are purely economic issues which should remain unaffected by politics.”
“The interests of energy producers, consumers and transit countries can be balanced only if we establish transparent and long-term market relations, with principles that are clear and understandable to, and applied by, all parties. An energy security system will be viable only if it helps maintain the necessary production levels.”
