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 main issue on the agenda is not even about the volume of our trade but a change in its quality. We must modernise our economies to create new high-paying jobs and we are fully capable of doing so.”
“But we should take the legitimate interests of our partners into account. I think we do. We reached agreement with our colleagues, including colleagues from Belarus, and signed a contract in 2007. And we are not asking for anything on top of that, beyond what the contract stipulates. The only thing we ask for is to observe the agreements we signed. Nothing else. Now when they tell us: allow us to pay less this year and double the amount the next, we agree. The next year they tell us: no, let is leave things as they were the year before last. Even in this case we try to reach a sort of consensus, to agree on some details, to ease the transition to market terms. And it seems to me the polemics, however sharp, between Belarusian and Russian energy experts has finally led to agreement.”
“Despite a decline in 2009, trade between our two countries has returned to pre-crisis levels. There has been progress in many sectors, particularly in high-tech industries such as aircraft manufacturing and space. We have seen good results in the An-70 aircraft project, which we also discussed in detail with Ukraine's previous government and president. But now we hope to start up joint work on the An-148 aircraft project, as well as on projects to build engines for other airplanes and helicopters. A large percentage of the Russian helicopter fleet is powered by Ukrainian-made engines. Our work together in space holds also great promise.”
“We should take the legitimate interests of our partners into account. I think we do. We reached agreement with our colleagues, including colleagues from Belarus, and signed a contract in 2007. And we are not asking for anything on top of that, beyond what the contract stipulates. The only thing we ask for is to observe the agreements we signed. Nothing else. Now when they tell us: allow us to pay less this year and double the amount the next, we agree. The next year they tell us: no, let is leave things as they were the year before last. Even in this case we try to reach a sort of consensus, to agree on some details, to ease the transition to market terms. And it seems to me the polemics, however sharp, between Belarusian and Russian energy experts has finally led to agreement.”
“We have reached a very high level of interstate contacts with the new president of Ukraine and with its government. We are removing the artificial barriers that previously hindered constructive cooperation, and in just a few months we have reached a high level of intergovernmental relations with the new president and government, and put together a substantial portfolio of joint projects, primarily in industries where Russian-Ukrainian cooperation brings our two countries tangible competitive advantages, in particular in aerospace, shipbuilding, energy and transport... Our companies share a lot already. They operated as part of one production chain over decades. And those links should be restored, including through the formation of integrated structures.”
“We know how much criticism the CIS receives, but I assure you, we would not have settled many economic and social problems if not for the Commonwealth. We don't even see that these problems have been settled. We take if for granted. The situation would be much worse without the CIS. Even Georgia retained 75 agreements after it announced that it was withdrawing from the CIS, because they were vitally important to the country. We see Georgia's point. More than that, we welcome it. So, I believe that the CIS is a necessary venue for coordinating economic, political and cultural issues, and will continue to be relevant”.
“In December 2011 we will mark the 20th anniversary of the CIS. We have come a long way since then, and managed to build a unique system for cooperation in many respects. It works in the interests of our nations' citizens, specific companies and businesses engaged in cooperative relations. And, of course, our dialogue allows us to resolve any problems that might arise in the spirit of openness and mutual trust, and to ensure stability in this vast region. Based on our experience, we should move forward and implement the plans formulated in the CIS Development Concept and the Economic Cooperation Strategy for the Period until 2020. Our success depends on us coordinating the efforts of all partners, their business attitude, and, of course, on their goodwill. I am convinced that we all share this approach”.
“...We are satisfied with the efficient, cooperative work that has been done to establish the Customs Union. The Customs Union is obviously outgrowing the purely economic format and is becoming a new geopolitical reality. One might say that the emerging common economic space is a key aspect of the integration processes in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Community. These developments are extremely beneficial for all participants because they create favourable conditions for rapid economic growth. As we see it, the Customs Union has gotten off to a good start. All of its central mechanisms are functioning normally. But, due to purely objective reasons, it is difficult to implement such an ambitious and complicated project on a tight schedule. Notably, we manage to find solutions and reach mutually acceptable agreements even in the most complicated situations”.
“I would like to emphasise once more that establishing a customs union and, subsequently, a common economic space for Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan is a conscious and principled decision. We will strive for a reasoned integration that is as close as possible. This will include not only a unified customs territory, but common capital and labour markets, a unified transport system and much, much more. I am convinced that the establishment of a common economic space will spur economic development in Russia in a significant way. It offers additional opportunities for both individuals and businesses. They will essentially be able to freely choose where it is most convenient for them work, to carry out their plans and projects, and this means that the government must make a more concerted effort to improve the investment climate. And I'm sure that such competition will be to our advantage”.
“The new obelisk on Poklonnaya Hill will be built with voluntary donations, and will become a tribute to the soldiers of the Great Patriotic War. We will always remember the great history our peoples went through together, and all stages of this history, no matter how complex they may be. Representatives of the Georgia public are here today at this ceremony. For us his is very important. It is important that we are together today, that our countries still have cultural, humanitarian and spiritual ties and that our peoples have good human relations, despite the vain attempts to make us quarrel with each other and forget the centuries-long history of honest and sincere friendship and fellowship. I believe that Russian-Georgian relations will begin a new chapter. We are ready to begin a conversation with all constructive political forces in Georgia that are willing to partner with Russia. And we will without a doubt rebuild this partnership.”
