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.”
"We will seek to reduce the tax burden. We will try to do it. But we must bear in mind that we face major challenges in reforming the socially sensitive sectors: public health, education and the pension system. All these reforms will involve considerable budget outlays because all these changes should enhance living standards and not lower them. So, budget expenditure will have to increase. That is why we must think about tax cuts, but we should tread warily".
"We set up a special fund for nanotechnologies. Some 180 billion roubles ($7.24 billion, or €5.01 billion) is planned for this sort of research work".
"As for privileged rates for students, we will keep them, and not only for the Far East but also for students all over the country."
"The transport infrastructure, airport, roads, power generation, additional power plants, the gas pipeline from Sakhalin, development of the Russky Island, and construction of a new federal university. I strongly expect that this programme will be a major boost for the development of the region as a whole."
"We should certainly tackle some of the most pressing problems facing Russia’s Far East as part of the preparation for the summit. It is in fact a top priority for us. Although we are certainly honoured to host such an important international event, it is even more important to use this chance to give more attention to the development of Russia’s far-eastern regions, to tap administrative and financial resources to turn the capital of the Primorye Territory into a major influential centre for economic and cultural cooperation".
"There are plans to vastly improve the condition of Vladivostok’s streets and roads, to modernise the local airport, to rebuild and redecorate the city’s “marine facade”, to build a link between the city and Russky Island, a promising area for urban development. Overall, a total of 35 major construction and modernisation projects will be implemented".
"It is my hope that this centre (Federal University on Russky island) will not be just another higher educational establishment, but will become a real intellectual center in the Far East, a centre of attraction, a powerhouse of sorts for Russia’s Far East. And not just for Russia, but also as an educational and research centre - for the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole".
"We have a federal programme, one of only a few, which focuses specifically on the Far East. The programme fleshes out the details of a plan to develop the area. What is central to the plan? Infrastructure and electricity. New jobs and a more active promotion of innovative ideas than perhaps in other places. Russia’s Far East must become part and parcel of the Asia-Pacific Rim and contribute to the development of the Russian economy as a whole".
"Today – and I am pleased to state this – there is a growing interest in the natural sciences. The reason is that we are entering a new and different phase in our country’s development. More and more attention is being given to real production. And real production without fundamental science is impossible. <…> And I hope that these activities, these fields – engineering, fundamental and applied sciences – will grow in popularity".
"We wouldn’t like to issue grants according to territory or region; we would prefer to make the choice based on how effectively a student association works and how prepared it is to do independent scientific research. It should be based on a fair competition, and best projects should be picked regardless of the region they come from".
"I welcome all kinds of movements and organisations, with different goals and philosophies. It is important that young people take an active stance, that they feel involved in positive processes promoting the development of our country and society, and feel that they are a part of the country’s development. I think it is very important".
"Let me also remind you that Russia’s bid for the APEC presidency in 2012 has been unanimously supported by the participants of that international forum. We are looking at the upcoming summit as a real opportunity for expanding cooperation with our partners in the Asia-Pacific Region".
"I firmly believe that the reputation of any country which is capable of defending the life and dignity of its citizens, and can conduct independent foreign policy will only improve in mid- and long-term perspective".
"We are not going to play by some special rules of our own. We want everyone to follow the same rules that are also referred to as international law".
"We want normal economic relations with all of our partners. We are a very reliable partner. We have never let anyone down".
"As for your exports, that is, our imports, Russia is a very reliable and big market. I don't remember the figure but, for example, the German machine-building industry has been increasing its supplies to Russia every year. These supplies are huge. Does someone want to discontinue these supplies? We'll buy from somebody else. But I don't understand who needs this?".
"We have never infringed on Georgia's sovereignty, and have no intention of doing so in the future. And yet, we have special spiritual links with that country and its people, considering that almost a million, or even more than a million Georgians live in this country. For us, this is a special tragedy".
"We have not attacked anyone. It is we who are demanding guarantees from others that they will not attack us anymore and will not kill our citizens. And yet there are attempts to portray us as the aggressor.<…> We have no intention of attacking anyone, and we have no intention of going to war with anyone.<…> We don't want any complications. We don't want to bicker with, let alone fight anyone. We want normal partnership and respect for us and our interests".
"During my eight years as president, I often heard the same question: what place does Russia reserve for itself in the world - how does it see itself and what is its place? We are a peace-loving state, and we want to cooperate with all our neighbors and all our partners".
