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
“The development of Russian-Chinese relations both in foreign policy and economics has an undoubted effect on the welfare of our people. That is why we attach such great significance to their promotion. In this context, contacts are important not only between heads of state and government, but also between the parliaments of our countries.”
“We will create incentives to promote closer industrial cooperation, working to forge promising technological alliances, to implement infrastructure projects, and to increase mutual capital investment. Our aim is to diversify trade and economic ties between our two countries. We have already developed a whole set of tools to carry out such tasks, including the Investment Cooperation Plan and the Programme of Interaction between Regions of the Far East, Eastern Siberia and Northeastern China.”
“We’re also planning to lay new energy routes. As you know, the Skovorodino-Daqing oil pipeline has been pumping crude oil since January 1, 2011. Russian and Chinese companies are beginning to work together to locate and develop new oil and natural gas deposits, including on the continental shelf. We’re already nearing the final stage of our work on natural gas supplies to the Chinese market. Preparations are underway for the construction of a large oil refinery in China’s Tianjin.”
“I think everyone would agree that given the current difficulties in the world economy, in the United States and in the European Union, Russian-Chinese cooperation plays a stabilising role and benefits both our economies and our nations.”
“In the course of our 16th prime ministerial meeting, we discussed in detail some of the recent issues of bilateral cooperation in almost every sphere. Our talks today reaffirmed the truly strategic nature of our relations. The political dialogue between the two countries continues to advance, the horizons of their cultural exchange are expanding, and their economic and regional cooperation is growing stronger.”
“Are we going to join NATO or EU? No, we aren’t. We believe we are in a position to defend ourselves. As for the EU, we will continue to expand our relations with the European Union. <…> However, our primary goal is not to join alliances or achieve other political or administrative goals. Russia’s main goal is to improve its citizens’ standard of living. We will focus on achieving this goal.”
“Russia has a special relationship with China, and not only because it is a close neighbour. We share many tasks and have common problems and common views on many processes under way in the international community. China is Russia’s strategic partner in the true and direct sense of this word.”
“Our trade and economic relations are making headway. Last year trade increased by 25%, and in the first half of this year it rose by another 50%. Last year Britain was our biggest trade and economic partner in terms of current investments.”
“Deutsche Bank is our longstanding partner and has been working in Russia since 1881. Over that time, we have made significant progress in various areas of cooperation. <…> This year, for the first time, Russia’s Finance Ministry placed its rouble-denominated domestic bonds on international markets. Deutsche Bank was among the institutions that helped Russia with this. I would like to thank you for your cooperation. The project has gone very smoothly.”
"Finland is not only our good neighbour and friend but also a major trade and economic partner. Last year our trade grew by 28%, and by another 24% in the first five months of this year. We must do everything we can in order to maintain this pace. We see nervousness and turbulence in the international markets, but there is a lot we can do to ensure that our bilateral ties develop rhythmically and as planned, and to make sure that everything is on the rise".
“Today, Russian researchers are participating in four international megaprojects: the Large Hadron Collider operated by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research; the thermonuclear reactor in France (ITER); the European x-ray free electron laser; and the heavy ion accelerator in Germany. Russia contributes both intellectually and financially to international research.”
“Such large-scale projects as the Year of Russia in France and the Year of France in Russia have captured the interest of our people. A new initiative will start next year: the Season of Russian in France and the Season of French in Russia. Such undertakings help us to understand each other better and cherish our common history.”
“Historically, our bilateral cooperation has always been a positive factor in European and world affairs. Let me add that it has always rested on the approval of our people and our civil societies. We rightly take pride in our rich tradition of humanitarian, cultural, scientific, creative, and simply human contacts, and we are committed to continue pursuing them in the future.”
“What is important is for our governments to create the best possible conditions for investment, for the movement of capital in both directions. To achieve this we must use our intergovernmental commission and the business council consisting of representatives of the leading Russian and Swiss companies.”
“We are working together on plans to restore Abkhazia’s economy and social capability. <…>I’m confident that we’ll do all this and travel together along this road of economic recovery and the restoration of the infrastructure and the social sphere. I’m convinced the Abkhazian people will feel safe. They can be sure that Russia, as a close ally and loyal friend, will stand with them and will help them overcome past problems. We will help Abkhazia get on its feet. Everything that I know makes us confident that we’ll carry out our joint plans.”
“Russian-Austrian relations have been improving, moving into a new dimension of a partnership based on trust. <…> Austrians are interested in working in Russia, which is very pleasant. Accumulated Austrian investment in Russia has exceeded $4 billion; actually, it is $4.2 billion. There are hundreds of Austrian companies working in Russia. We are very pleased with this and will do our best to further develop our business partnership.”
“I would like to stress the successful development of Russian-Danish ties at all levels, and the strengthening of contacts between parliaments, agencies and regions.”
“A partnership between Sollers and Ford will bring new technologies into the national auto industry and expand the capacity of the company’s existing operations in several Russian regions.”
“For objective reasons, we will have to purchase a significant share of medical equipment from international manufacturers. <…>I believe that procurement contracts with international companies should include clauses stipulating that they will open new production facilities in Russia and concentrate production in one place to the maximum possible extent, as is done in other industries – for example, the auto industry.”
“We truly appreciate Israel’s attitude to the memory of the tragic past and of the role that the Soviet Union and the Red Army had in fighting Nazism. And we can understand the losses that the Jewish people suffered in the fight against Nazism.”
