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.”
"Our foreign partners, as a rule, are very sensitive to environmental issues and conservation. I agree with them entirely. In that sense the establishment of new, state-of-the-art enterprises in Russian regions will contribute to the responsible use of natural resources, help put an end to predatory exploitation of forests, and improve the environment not only in Russia, but in the whole north-west of the European continent. And this also holds for other parts of the world, for example the Far East."
"Russia supports the Finnish initiative of holding a Baltic summit in Helsinki early next year. I believe that its decisions will strengthen environmental cooperation in the region. Let me remind you that Russia currently holds the presidency of the Helsinki Commission on the Protection of the Baltic Marine Environment. Needless to say, we are ready to render our Finnish colleagues every assistance in the context of the future forum. I would also like to tell you that the Government of the Russian Federation has decided to prepare and launch a programme to improve the Baltic Sea ecology. The programme will cover the period of 2010-2015. It is based on the measures set forth in the Helsinki Commission Action Plan."
"I would like to repeat what has already been said more than once: Russia, like any other country - and I would like to stress this point - cannot be content with merely supplying primary raw materials to the world market. I am referring to all kinds of raw materials, be they hydrocarbons, bio-resources, or timber. Like any other country, Russia is interested in using its natural riches in the most effective and rational way. This is our strategic objective. We will tackle it by transforming our economy, making it less dependent on the export of commodities, and introducing advanced, innovative technologies."
"Any country - every country - in the world wants to reduce the volume of raw materials export and to increase the volume of processing in its own territory. Russia is not doing anything unusual in this respect - it simply wants to develop the country and its economy. Is this wrong? However, I would like to say again that we are not trying to attain this goal at somebody else's expense, which is why we are acting carefully, after notifying partners about our plans. Moreover, we make concessions to them on other issues."
"The only thing we consider unacceptable is the use of diplomatic services outside the Vienna Convention. I think that is indisputable. We very much hope to see a uniform interpretation of these issues on the part of our partners."
"The partnership between Russia and Finland are a model for genuine, good neighbourly relations. This is also true of our political, business and cultural ties, especially since in 2008 Russia has again emerged as Finland's biggest foreign trading partner. The trust we have built up enables us to discuss the most complicated issues frankly and reach the best solutions for both our countries' benefit."
"It is important that in spite of the global economic crisis, the implementation of key Russian-Finnish projects is proceeding at a good pace. Although there has been some decline in the volume of trade, I am confident that in the future we will be able to turn this situation around. In this connection I would like to remind you that last year Russia emerged as the biggest trading partner of the Finnish Republic. We are committed to building up our business ties, improving their quality and stability, and developing both the traditional and new areas of economic partnership."
"Finland's authority as a major player in the world timber market is unassailable. And very importantly, it applies not only to the quantity, but also to the quality of its products. I am referring to Finland's modern technologies, the advanced processing of raw materials, and advanced environmental programmes. All these areas are extremely important for us. The experience of our Finnish partners and their advanced know-how will certainly be used in Russia. I think it is in our mutual interests to shift the focus towards joint development of the markets in third-party countries, and to concentrate our resources on creating and promoting high-tech nanotechnology and biotechnology products in the timber industry. Ultimately, the future belongs to these technologies."
"During the talks we held behind closed doors, the Finnish Prime Minister appealed to us to review the issue of duty-free birch deliveries for the Finnish timber processing industry. I believe we could expand the parameters and hence the volume of such deliveries to our partners abroad. The issue concerns the so-called birch supply balance, which is birch timber with a diameter of up to 15 cm. "
