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 are going to work within existing treaties and agreements. The legal basis for our cooperation is strengthening; we have drafted about 40 agreements with Abkhazia on various spheres of our cooperation, and we are confident they are going to work efficiently towards the well-being of the people of Abkhazia and Russia.”
"But in our view, now people are coming to understand that everyone is interested in universal rules and standards stipulated by international law. Because not a single country in the world today is capable of - as resources are insufficient even if they would like to - acting as a world policeman, as a world empire, which imposes rules of behaviour on everyone. I think everyone has this understanding now. And therefore, I would like to see that this will, this opinion prevails on a political level, and not just on a level of private conversations. And in fact, now we see that this becomes the case more and more often."
"Abkhazia knows well Russia's position regarding this conflict and how relations developed in preceding decades. There is no point in pretending otherwise. You know how many times South Ossetia and Abkhazia, in some or other form, approached Russia with pleas either to let them join the Russian Federation or to recognise their independence... But Russia behaved in a very even-handed and very correct manner. Because we always proceeded from one of the fundamental principles of international law, that of the territorial integrity of states. But I think, in order to preserve this territorial integrity after the disintegration of the USSR, it was necessary to treat the peoples of Abkhazia and South Ossetia with respect."
“The established legislative framework allows us to develop our relations with Abkhazia and with South Ossetia as independent states, without paying any attention to anyone who doesn't like it. And those are the foundations on which relations can be built in economic development and the social sphere, developing interstate relations, and ensuring stability and security. We will act to those ends within the framework of existing agreements and treaties. And in the very near future, and already now, the legal foundations of our cooperation are being strengthened: We have prepared about 40 agreements with Abkhazia on various areas of co-operation. I am confident that this will work well in the benefit of the peoples of Abkhazia and Russia.”
“Agreements have been reached on the construction in Turkey of major underground gas storage facilities. We know that each winter Turkey's economy and Turkey's consumers experience gas supply problems. Establishing these reserves and these underground storage facilities will of course boost energy stability for the growing Turkish economy.”
“We will maintain further contacts with both parts of Cyprus, with both sides. We will develop economic relations with Cyprus, including its Turkish part. We have said it so many times before. We consider it the right stance and a step towards settlement.”
“Turkey supplies a considerable volume of agricultural products to our market, while Russia supplied an equally large volume of grain and cereals to the Turkish market last year for the first time. The outlook for next year's export is also bright; we are planning to gain a stronger position in the Turkish market, also helping our Turkish partners fill the niches both Turkey and Russia are interested in.”
“The fundamental document, the framework within which we are currently working, is a treaty on the supply of gas to the Turkish Republic from Russia dating to, I think, 1986. It is subject to renewal. And the Turkish side is interested in increasing the volume of Russian gas supplied. We agreed that we would do that.”
“We agreed that we will move to the feasibility studies and subsequently the construction of additional branches to the Blue Stream pipeline, Blue Stream-2, with subsequent export of these hydrocarbons to third countries via Turkey. The countries have already been mentioned, they are: Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. Thus Turkey becomes a major transit state for this part of the world. If you take into account the fact that South Stream will pass through Turkey's special economic zone, then Turkey will become an important logistical centre in the energy sector for Europe as well.”
“As for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the victory of the Russian-Turkish consortium at the tender for the construction of Turkey's first nuclear power plant would open up broad vistas before our two countries. Obviously, both countries are interested in the project and intend to coordinate details and proceed with construction in the near future.”
“Mutual trade grew to almost $40 billion. In the volume of trade Russia ranks first among Turkey's trade and economic partners, and Turkey ranks fifth on the list of Russia's partners, above the United States, Great Britain and Japan.”
“Gaz de France is our long-term, reliable and stable partner, one of the biggest European energy companies. We know about the level of your competence in gas liquefaction, and are interested in cooperating with you in this and in other directions - transportation, electric power, and renewable energy sources. On the whole, energy industry is a major component of our cooperation with the French Republic. In this context, we are pinning great hopes on cooperation with such European grandees as GDF.”
"We took the fundamental decision to develop high-level timber processing in Russia. We announced these plans long ago, we set them out, and our partners recognise this. We will accommodate our traditional partners. However, I would like to stress again that the strategic plans to develop timber processing within the Russian Federation remain unchanged. And that means that we must agree in due course about how we will go forward and how we will build our relations in this sensitive area."
"Should the Finnish Government make a decision regarding the future development of nuclear energy, Russian companies would be interested in participating in the relevant tenders. And I do not doubt that the bids put forward by them will be competitive in their financial and technical criteria, and in terms of safety requirements."
"In this regard, I would like to mention, first and foremost, the organisation of high-speed passenger train links between St Petersburg and Helsinki, which aims to cut the journey time to 3.5 hours. On the Russian side, this project is being implemented under a public-private partnership. Its overall cost is around $2.5 billion, over a third of which is allocated from budget resources. The positive experience accrued here could be successfully applied to other areas of cooperation."
"The crisis did not shake Russia off course for its future integration into the global economy. I am certain that Russia's imminent accession to the WTO and the OECD, on mutually acceptable, non-discriminatory conditions, will promote increased stability in global trade and economic systems."
"The most important one being the clearly expressed mutual desire for the expansion of our partnership. We are united on the fact that it is vital to create an environment that is as favourable as possible to joint business initiatives, industrial cooperation, and joint investment streams. Moreover, we have something to start from. Last year we attained a record trade turnover of more than $22 billion. Russia became Finland's most important partner, ranking first in terms of trade."
"High technologies certainly dominate our bilateral relations. This directly concerns energy industry. Russian companies are among Finnish thermal power plants' suppliers. Our partnership is quite smooth in electric energy in general, and has good prospects in nuclear energy."
"Open-hearted neighbourly relations have taken shape between Russia and Finland, and between their populations, within the preceding decades. There relations are surely a value to be cherished and protected. If problems arise in the private sphere-in families, they can be put up with, and the people concerned should get help. It is inadmissible, however, to involve public services and servants in such controversies."
"Today we must adapt trade and economic contacts to the global economic realities. We must concentrate on the most advantageous directions of our cooperation, such as energy, transport, the timber sector, and a range of arctic technologies, including ship building. Maybe, the latter should come first. The energy sphere includes supply of hydrocarbons, nuclear power engineering, the power plant industry, renewable energy sources, and so on."
"Allow me to recall that during Mr Prime Minister's visit to Moscow, duties on exports of rough wood were frozen at the request of the Finnish side. We also met our Finnish partners halfway and reopened the Torfyanovka international checkpoint to commercial vehicle transport traffic. There are other examples of mutual concessions."
"The situation in the global economy is far from simple, and we feel the effects of the crisis in our countries. However, I would like to say that our cooperation is a factor that helps us to stand up at the time of trial. Look at our energy cooperation: Russian partners provide everything the Finnish economy needs regularly, on time and in the required amount. I am referring to oil, gas, coal, electricity and chemicals."
"Russia joining the Convention Concerning International Carriage of Goods by Rail (COTIF). This step will create the conditions for expanding the railway ferry service link between the Russian ports of Baltiysk and Ust-Luga and the German port Sassnitz-Mukran, and in future ports in other European countries. Russian transporters will be able to independently configure their railway routes to the Baltic."
"We attach great importance to the development of inter-parliamentary ties. Only by drawing on the broad support of all political forces in our countries is it possible to develop relations in the positive key, as has always been the case."
"I would like once again to reaffirm Russia's support, the Russian Government's support for the lawful Government of Moldova, and for the President of Moldova. We are very glad that the period of internal political tension has passed. In our opinion the Moldovan authorities acted very rationally, reacting calmly even to acts of hooliganism. We expect this process will be over soon. It is even more vital, given the conditions of the global financial and economic crisis, that political stability guarantees the resolution of difficult economic and social tasks."
"We highly value the position of Kazakhstan for its consistent support in the implementation of all integration programmes in the post-Soviet space. It is only natural that in the current difficult conditions our countries have chosen to unite their potentials in countering the negative consequences of the global financial and economic crisis."
"We are going to step up efforts in carrying out a package of measures envisaged by our plan of joint action for 2009-2010. The plan provides for joint study and exploration of space, and cooperation in the fuel-and-energy sector, gas and electric power industries, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and the military-technical sphere."
"We believe it is necessary to make the best possible use of the advantages and potentialities of integration for increasing reciprocal investment and trade and carrying out joint projects. In this sense, the proposed customs union should become a major instrument for overcoming the crisis and resuming economic growth."
"We are starting the budget planning process for the following year and we must begin it proceeding from the parameters that exist today and from the forecasts being made on the basis of current indicators. This is a challenge, and it will require serious, thoughtful and responsible work from us. In this connection some areas of joint work are extremely important between such strategic partners as Russia and Kazakhstan. We are indeed very important partners for each other. Suffice it to say that our trade last year was almost $20 billion."
"I would like to note our successes in cross border cooperation. Thus, restrictions on movement over the Mumansk-Kirkenes highway were lifted in 2008, and talks are currently underway on drafting an agreement for reciprocal trips of citizens residing in Russia and Norway's adjacent territories."
"I would like to note our successes in cross border cooperation. Thus, restrictions on movement over the Mumansk-Kirkenes highway were lifted in 2008, and talks are currently underway on drafting an agreement for reciprocal trips of citizens residing in Russia and Norway's adjacent territories."
"Today, it is important to adapt our cooperation to the current financial and economic crisis. Apparently, we have definite and considerable competitive advantages. We should pool our efforts in world markets. I am primarily referring to the energy industry, a key element in our bilateral strategic cooperation."
"Last year, our countries reached a record $2.3 billion in trade turnover, but this is far from our limit. Our potential is much bigger than that, and we consider the current level a springboard for reaching new frontiers."
"I am very pleased to note that we maintain regular contacts across the board - from working meetings to top political levels. However, this is not the main point. What matters most is that our relations are developing well. This applies to all aspects of our cooperation. The most objective indicator is the growth of trade, which set a record last year."
"We are neighbours [Russia and Turkey], and that is why energy is a key question. We are diversifying our energy contacts. The Prime Minister has already mentioned our company's participation in a tender for the construction of a nuclear power plant; I am referring to our companies' possible involvement in the construction of four major nuclear power facilities. We are willing to take part in the construction of a CHP (combined heat and power station) with the supply of additional volumes of gas for fuel generation. Turkey came third in Europe in terms of Russian gas supply, after Germany and Italy. Last year it amounted to nearly 24 billion cubic metres - to be precise, 23.9."
"Russia has become Turkey's primary trading partner, with trade turnover approaching $35 billion. And Turkey is also one of Russia's most important trading partners. Whereas several years ago we were principally talking about the construction sector, now we have a very broad diversification in terms of our relations."
"Energy implies not only hydrocarbons but also nuclear energy and electricity. Certain Italian companies have invested billions of dollars into the Russian energy industry. We are developing contacts in high technologies. In particular, we are implementing Project Superjet-100 for a very promising medium-range aircraft."
"Now that the relevant documents have been signed and Russia has recognised Abkhazia's independence, we have more opportunities to organise cooperation in all areas, including on the social and economic development of Abkhazia, and organising support for those plans that you and your Government are making for the republic's development."
"As far as the Ulan Bator Railway is concerned, I believe that our joint efforts to develop the Mongolian transport infrastructure will allow us to create new jobs and new sources of income, as well as to increase the efficiency of the regional cooperation as a whole. I would like to stress that our project is aimed not only at upgrading the Ulan Bator Railway, but also at developing the Mongolian railway network. We have established the joint venture with this goal in mind."
"We were aiming at the trade turnover reaching $1-1.3 billion by 2010, which we accomplished in 2008. As you can see, we are ahead of schedule. Overall, our trade and economic relations have developed positively. More trustful atmosphere of our partnership and closer cooperation prompt us to reach new agreements, and today you witnessed the signing of a new document."
"The Rostechnology State Corporation will be joining efforts with Mongolia's Erdenet and Mongolrostsvetmet companies in the capacity of a new Russian shareholder. I am confident that Rostechnology will help these Mongolian companies to achieve better efficiency through technological modernisation and streamlined management. Most importantly, it will ensure increased stability against the volatile economic environment."
"We naturally complement each other; our economies do at any event. Japan's advanced technology, our resources in Eastern Siberia and the Far East - we share common interests. We need to sweep aside that which interferes with the development of our relationships off the agenda. Clearly this must happen, and can only be accomplished in ways that correspond to the Russian Federation's national interests."
"Together with our Mongolian partners, we are working to promptly launch joint investment projects in the metal mining industry. I believe that we will succeed in implementing the previously agreed uranium mining and processing projects."
"We are pleased with how our relations are developing and I would like to note that we have achieved practically all the goals we set for ourselves when we drew up the "Russian-Japanese Action Plan" in 2003."
"Many Japanese companies have extensive experience of working in Russia. As you know, Toyota has already commissioned a plant, and another major Japanese company will inaugurate its plant in the near future (in early June). I would like to draw your attention to the fact that this is taking place in the midst of the global economic crisis. In other words, our cooperation here is very much in demand. This is beyond any doubt."
"As you know, one of Russia's aims is to diversify its economy and make it more innovative. Japan is positioning itself as a global leader of technological progress in the 21st century. I must say that we agree with this. We are all happy about the successes of our Japanese friends and colleagues. We see how successfully Japan is developing high technologies. Needless to say, I consider very important Russia and Japan's cooperation in using their potentialities in this direction."
"Russia will of course link the issues of missile defence and everything related to it with strategic offensive weapons."
"When armed contingents are present in any country on a noble mission, we have every reason to expect efficiency of them, and we all count on it. As you know, Russia has agreed on civilian cargo transits with several European countries, the United States and NATO. This is our practical contribution to the cause of normalising the situation in Afghanistan."
"Is it possible that Russian troops could be sent to Afghanistan? That is impossible. The Russian public strongly objects even to putting the matter under consideration, and I agree with that position."
"It was with great regret that we learned that North Korea had unilaterally walked out of talks we consider quite acceptable. Their six-party format has proved its practical worth. They have helped us to arrive recently at decisions which all the parties involved consider adoptable."
