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 discussed allocations for the development of Sochi and southern Russia and for Olympic construction from the very beginning. We now realise that over 80% of our resources will be spent on the development of southern Russia and Sochi. This implies highways, railways, environmental problems, power supply and telecommunications. The remaining 20% will be spent on Olympic facilities. The Sochi-2014 project aims to develop one of the Russian Federation's most important regions.”
“I believe that the Olympic Construction Corporation (Olympstroi) and other concerned parties must step up their efforts in all these areas.”
“I realise that the allocation of land plots for Olympic construction projects depends on numerous objective factors. However, the provision of housing to people is the most pressing issue. We are preparing a major international event and festival, which will also become a festival for the entire Russian nation. We cannot allow this festival to create problems that would mar the life of even one Russian citizen. Nobody must face any problems. Even if such problems do arise, they must be solved equitably.”
“I am asking the administration of the Krasnodar Territory and other concerned agencies to assess real housing demand during the resettlement of private individuals. They must equitably assess the price of sequestrated land and other property in line with the current real-estate market situation, the price of new housing and to conduct equal exchanges. Such equal exchanges must not cause any losses for private individuals. Nor must they lead to violations by any party or cause any sponging attitudes.”
“I would like to say from the very outset that we are preparing intensively for the upcoming Olympic Games. Right now, I had an opportunity to speak to journalists working at the same centre in Sochi. They believe that local developments are quite positive. Representatives of the International Olympic Committee who have visited Sochi less than a month ago have also noted this.”
“One more serious question on our agenda is linked to preparations for the Olympics in Sochi. VEB is designed to be a major money lender to the companies involved in the construction of Olympic facilities. In the conditions of the global crisis, this will allow builders to attract long-term loans on acceptable terms, given, of course, proper guarantees of compliance with commitments. I consider it necessary for VEB to issue loans exclusively for the payment of the work done. Needless to say, its real scope and costs should be permanently monitored.”
“You know how considerate we are of the environment. Our Olympic blueprints are ecologically sound. The Russian Government has adopted an ad hoc programme for the environmental aspects of preparations for the 2014 Olympics. On expert insistence, we have shifted the sites of three key Olympic projects from the buffer zone of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve. Everything has been coordinated on the whole, as far as I know.”
“I want to stress that, despite global financial and economic problems that are also affecting Russia, whatever concerns the Olympic project in the broad sense is protected by relevant budget items with guaranteed funding. None of the Russian and foreign investors-we have foreign investors, too-have given up initial intentions, mainly due to the high investment potential of the Russian south, particularly the Krasnodar Territory. Federal budget allocations to related purposes amounted to 113 billion roubles in 2008, plus an additional 127 billion in 2009. As you know, we have adopted a three-year budget and necessary sums are earmarked for every subsequent period.”
“This work is among our top priorities not only because it is preparation for Olympics but also because it is a comprehensive plan for the development of southern Russia, so Olympic and developmental goals fully coincide in this sense.”
“We are paying special attention to human rights in the context of our Olympic efforts. Proprietors are entitled to compensation for their land in keeping with market prices. We have determined to offer them a choice between ready housing, new land plots, or monetary compensation, and have amended the Olympic Law accordingly.”
