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
"Highly complicated processes in terms of administrative, financial and law enforcement issues. This Union faces many challenges. I think all of you clearly understand that if we eventually manage to bring this work to its logical end, this will be the first real instance of integration in the post-Soviet space. For its part, the Russian Federation is prepared to go its part of the road and fulfil all of its commitments."
"It is necessary to thoroughly review how efficiently Union funds allocated for joint programmes are being spent. High-tech projects remain one of our highest priorities. It is vital that we continue joint efforts to ensure a decent living and social safety net for our citizens and develop our human capital. This is why we have prepared and approved the Concept for the Union State Social Development."
"This plan has already had a positive impact on the Russian and Belarusian economies, and has encouraged trade between our two countries. There are also a lot of other means to encourage trade further. We must try our best to use the advantages that come from our two countries' integration to recover from the crisis. The official establishment of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan on January 1, 2010 will also contribute to fulfilling this goal. We expect that it will allow us to take cooperation between Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to a new level."
"I would also like to highlight a decision that we made and that you are aware of. The Russian Government equalised Belarusian and Russian suppliers in state purchases. If a commodity offered by your producer is 15% more expensive than a similar product manufactured by an international company, the purchase decision will be in favor of the Belarusian business, as it would be with a Russian company."
"There is progress in Russian-Belarusian interaction on the main areas of cooperation, critical for commodity producers. Belarus continues to purchase energy at the lowest prices among the CIS countries and in the world in general, which is no exaggeration. This includes gas, which Belarus also receives at the lowest prices."
"Now regarding the loans you asked about. <...> We have three possible areas of cooperation here. First, as you have already mentioned, there is the construction of two power units at Khmelnitsky NPP. The approximate cost would be $4 billion. <...> Regarding the gas flow into UGS, this is a very difficult issue, since the volumes are very large, 19-20 billion cubic metres of gas, which could flow there, at a value of $5 billion. This is the second issue. And it requires additional research, investigation, and consultation. <...> And the third question is budget support. Those are the three possible areas."
"A protocol has also been signed on commodity supplies along the production cooperation lines this year. It will spectacularly promote contacts between Russian and Ukrainian industrial companies."
"That is why it is so important that we signed today an intergovernmental agreement on the mutual establishment of offices of the Russian trade representation in Ukraine and relevant offices of the trade and economic mission within the Ukrainian Embassy in the Russian Federation. The agreement envisages spectacular expansion of economic cooperation so as to implement the potential of Russian and Ukrainian regions as fully as possible."
"The establishment of the Customs Union will enable us to stimulate mutual trade, joint investment projects and industrial cooperation, and in this way enhance our anti-crisis efforts, create jobs, and open new markets."
"I am referring to the establishment of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. We have recently made substantial progress in developing the legal basis of the Union. Altogether the package comprises 37 documents. We hope that other EurAsEC member states will eventually join the Union. We are open to cooperation and would welcome the growth of the three-party Union into a larger organisation. I am convinced that accelerated integration would effectively boost anti-crisis management and development. This is why we have agreed with our colleagues in Belarus and Kazakhstan to redouble our efforts."
"As for the former Soviet republics, we are offering them loans. You have mentioned Belarus. Russia has special contacts with this country. We are trying to set up the union state. Russia has lent Belarus more than $3 billion on intergovernmental credits since 2004. We are thinking about another loan of $500 million to Belarus. The credit burden on Belarus has reached critical levels."
"As to foreign economic cooperation, we have nearly completed the drafting of the legal foundations for a Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. I believe the Customs Union will be able to start working in 2010, one year ahead of schedule."
“Last year the trade turnover between our countries reached a record level of $34 billion. In the future, too, we need to make the most effective use of the advantages of our integration to create new jobs and expand markets for our industrial products.”
“We agreed to accelerate transferring $1 billion, the second tranche of the loan Russia is giving Belarus.”
"I am convinced that in order to minimise the negative impact of the world crisis on our economies we need effective joint actions. We should make full use of the benefits of integration, encourage mutual trade and strengthen cooperation in production."
“We have confirmed mutual intention to continue our efforts to establish a common economic space and a real customs union. I would like to note that three countries - Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan - are now involved in this activity.”
“We adopted the forecast balances of supply and demand for the key products of the Union State and the balances of fuel and energy resources for 2009. I hope you understand how important this issue is under the present circumstances to ensure the stable performance of industrial enterprises.”
“We will devote considerable attention to creating a full-fledged Customs Union in Eurasia and facilitating integration processes between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. In 2009, the Government plans to expedite the creation of modern market institutions. Notably, it will implement measures stipulated by the Competition-Incentives Programme and the Financial Markets Development Strategy.”
“The tightening of the global economy is certainly another important issue affecting each of our countries. Each EurAsEC country is currently working on its own plan to deal with the financial crisis. And it is especially important that we coordinate our efforts and are ready to deal with the consequences of the crisis cooperatively.”
“Russia will fully abide by its international financial commitments and take part in anti-crisis measures together with other countries. If necessary we will support our partners on a bilateral basis. I have already said publicly that we have transferred $1 billion to the International Monetary Fund which redistributes the money, with our participation, among the countries that are the hardest hit by the crisis. I repeat, if necessary, we will support our partners on a bilateral basis, not stopping short of credit lending.”
