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
“Support from Russian citizens has always helped us, and I’m confident that the government’s future line-up will rely on the people. We must never forget about the needs of ordinary people. We must always remember how government-level decisions influence the lives of all ordinary Russian citizens.”
“…the Russian Academy of Sciences and national science as a whole cannot shy away from the modernisation agenda. The academy has always been and must remain a key institution of national and social development - both as a generator of new fundamental knowledge turned toward the future and as an instrument for selecting and promoting Russia's intellectual elite. And, finally, the reliable, long-term prediction of scientific and technological priorities is only possible with the involvement of the research community. Certainly, a primitive and utilitarian understanding of science's role is unacceptable. Fundamental research is not a commercial project based on investment volumes or profit-making. At the same time, the field of science in the modern world is based on a principle of encouraging tough competition and is characterised by a serious struggle for superiority. Leading states invest heavily in R&D projects in order to remain predominant in science. This concerns not only technology but also the humanities, politics and ideology”.
“We are also now reviewing the enforcement of the new law on protecting competition. Proposals for improving the law are being drafted. Let me emphasise that we see a direct link between an increase in business activity on the one hand and recovery and subsequent stable development on the other. In order for the market to develop, new companies must enter it. And here government policy and the position of major, established businesses are equally important. Of course, it would be naïve to ask you to help create new competition for yourself, but at the same time, you can do much to form a circle of independent suppliers of goods and services around your companies and cut costs thanks to efficient ordering.. You know this practice- it is found throughout the world. The emergence of a full-fledged domestic market and the spread of modern technology and a corporate culture are beneficial to everyone on the whole. And here big business must serve as a kind of engine driving the process”.
“Today, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that we were forced to reallocate resources in an effort to overcome the consequences of the global financial and economic crisis. A proportion of those resources that could have been put towards modernisation, was instead spent on anti-crisis objectives. Today, we are working amid considerably changed, to put it bluntly, tougher external and domestic conditions. The events of the last few weeks have shown that it is still too early, too premature to say that the global crisis has ended completely. Today Eurozone states are being forced to implement unprecedented measures in order to stabilise their financial systems, while the people have to pay for their previous macroeconomic miscalculations. In effect, a simple truth has been confirmed: in the long-term perspective only a responsible macroeconomic policy can facilitate steadily rising and improving standards of living among the population. I am deeply convinced that we must ensure macroeconomic stability”.
“We have drastically reduced the number of inspections of small and medium-sized companies. When we were working on this decision, the employees of the economy ministry gathered a vast amount of objective data on the administrative pressure on businesses from oversight authorities. They have figures proving how harmful excessive regulation and oversight are.”
“We should proceed from the fact that a low or even zero budget deficit is normal for Russia. Only such policy can make one feel confident amid fluctuating prices for our export products. We should not cut back on budgetary spending and forego unsecured debentures. We must unfailingly honour our commitments before Russia's citizens whatever the circumstances. Consequently, we have to stick to our timeframe and reduce the budget deficit to 3% in 2012 and then down to zero in 2015”.
“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”.
“First of all, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the victims' families. We must make every effort to support the families struck by the tragedy. Let me emphasize that this task is for both the federal and regional authorities, and an absolute responsibility of the mine owners: they should certainly realise that it is their responsibility. We must also support those injured in the blasts, who are currently being treated at hospitals here and in Moscow. We must spare no effort to ensure that they are nursed back to health. There is a government decision in place to allocate one million roubles from the Reserve Fund to each victim's family and 200,000 to 400,000 roubles to each of the injured miners. Medical and psychological assistance to the injured and the families of those killed has been taken care of. The most severely injured miners have been taken to the best hospitals in Moscow for treatment and rehabilitation. I would like to hear from you today what specific efforts will be made by the Kemerovo Region government, and what the Raspadskaya owners will do. Please keep in mind that the support efforts should be targeted and not be limited to one-off payments.”
“Our countries were allies in World War II and contributed considerably to the defeat of Nazism and Japanese militarism. Today, we are united in a colossal number of joint efforts - we have harmonised our positions in the international arena and are working very effectively in terms of our economies. Quite recently, we kicked off events associated with the Year of Chinese Language in Russia. I know how much effort the Chinese leadership and you personally have invested into the Year of Russian language in China and, indeed, it was a very successful year! I'm sure that the Year of Chinese Language in Russia - which is essentially another year of Chinese culture in Russia - will also be successful.”
“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.”
