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.”
“Today we made a decision, which we agreed upon with you, the oil companies, to extend mandated discounts on fuel and lubricants for agricultural producers. The discount must be equal to 10% of the price of November 1, 2010, as agreed”.
“What we need is not abstract square metres, but the availability of quality residences for people and solutions to the housing problems of real Russian families. This should be the main, basic indicator of the efficiency and productivity of our efforts in this area. This is why we will continue to press with our plans to provide housing for veterans, service members, military retirees and other categories of the population for whom the state has direct obligations – I am referring to those living in the Far North, to forced migrants and Chernobyl victims.”
“We have also adopted a large-scale programme for the development of the medical and pharmaceutical industry through to 2020 and look to the broadest possible international cooperation, expecting foreign pharmaceutical firms and companies to establish production capacity in Russian regions, which is actually being done. There are deserving examples in many parts of Russia. What’s more, our colleagues are interested in increasing their localisation by creating new and prestigious jobs while bringing in advanced techniques and quality standards together with innovation.”
“I can add that we will also keep improving investment legislation, and so I ask the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service to expedite the submission to the government of the second package of amendments for simpler procedures with foreign investors in the strategic sectors. Our objective now is to encourage investment activity as much as we can, making it a key factor in re-establishing the national economy. Foreign direct investments will play a big role here, of course. Russia should be an attractive long-term strategic investment destination.”
“I’m sure you’ll agree that cinema has a high educational potential, and can promote high civic and moral values, as well as mutual respect and tolerance, which is all the more relevant in a multi-ethnic and multi-faith country like ours. As I understand it, some specific proposals have been prepared for today’s meeting, ones related to the construction of new, modern movie theaters.”
“The problems that we will discuss do not attract worldwide attention, are not part of major current events, but they nevertheless concern millions of our citizens. The social well-being of millions of people depends on how we deal with such issues, so they are obviously very sensitive and very important. This work is not heroic, but it requires professionalism, perseverance and consistency.”
“Over the next few years, we'll need to resolve the problem of the federal budget deficit. This must be done by 2015, or even earlier if possible. We also need to increase the return on each rouble we provide. And we have adopted a programme to increase the effectiveness of public spending. In 2012 we will adopt new principles for drafting the federal budget on the basis of long-term state programmes.”
“I'd like to emphasise that during the downturn in 2009 the government provided substantial support to regional budgets. Even though their revenues fell drastically, expenses remained as high as they were before the crisis in 2008. In 2010 the regions received 1.365 trillion roubles from the federal government. In 2011 we plan to allot another 1.262 trillion roubles to them. This amount is slightly smaller than in 2010. This is because we have completed some of the anti-crisis measures already, the economy is picking up and regions are taking advantage of additional financial opportunities.”
“With the new space centre, Russia will become a truly self-sufficient space power, able to launch all types of spacecraft, including cargo spacecraft and space station modules. The facilities of Vostochny will also be used through the programmes for manned flights and missions to the moon and Mars. We hope to strengthen Russia’s position on the global market of space technology and services, where we clearly have a competitive edge.”
“Our objective is to radically change the situation in the North Caucasus, primarily by improving the quality of life of the people, ensuring their security and giving them the opportunity to work and leave in peace. We must eradicate the roots of terrorism and extremism, first of all poverty, unemployment, ignorance and inadequate levels of education, and corruption and lawlessness. We must create a modern social infrastructure in the North Caucasus, which is another priority, and an effective economy based on the region’s advantages and natural growth factors.”
“As you know, leading economies are developing their post-recessionary strategies. Russia also needs one. Our growth strategy should take into account the new reality and provide solutions to the challenges of economic modernisation and an overhaul of the social security system and public administration. It is important to get the general public and experts involved in the discussion of this strategy.”
“The establishment of the Customs Union should be backed by the active development of Russian-Belarusian trade and economic ties. In 2010, we saw an 18% increase in trade, and we will try to maintain this positive trend this year. Expanding industrial cooperation and creating favourable conditions for trade and interregional partnership have been a focus of our attention as well. We will also strive to encourage work in the high-tech sector, in the fuel and energy sector for instance. I am referring to our plans to build a nuclear power station in Belarus.”
“War, military service and labour veterans have done a lot for Russia; they have worked for the country their whole lives. We all know very well that common people have lived very modestly, in particular during Soviet times. People often worked without the hope of receiving financial benefits, honouring their responsibilities and doing their duty to the country. Actually, the older generation, our senior citizens have worked selflessly for the benefit of the country all their lives, fighting in wars when necessary. Today these respected citizens have the right to expect us to provide them with decent living conditions, to feel that the government will care for them.”
“Everything related to people’s quality of life and health is certainly one of the top priorities for the state and the United Russia party. Therefore, I ask the federal and regional branches of United Russia to establish effective public oversight over the implementation of regional healthcare programmes. You need to work closely with trade unions, associations of health professionals and, of course, work collectives. Moreover, I believe that we must take the initiative and invite other political parties into this partnership, all those who are willing to cooperate constructively in the interests of our citizens in addressing basic problems to improve Russian healthcare.”
“Physical education needs improving, and teachers should take advantage of new methods to make lessons interesting and useful. For these purposes, it is necessary to introduce new programmes and modernise schools’ sports infrastructure. A construction plan for a new school building must include a gym and a swimming pool. We also need to expand the network of fitness complexes and junior sports clubs.”
“We are also using the assistance of foreign partners to develop the priority sphere of high-speed transportation. High-speed trains currently run on the Moscow-St Petersburg, Moscow-Nizhni Novgorod and St Petersburg-Helsinki routes. I think we should review our programme of high-speed rail transportation to commission new facilities ahead of schedule and add new routes. In particular, we should consider establishing high-speed lines between the cities that will host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.”
“We have always provided considerable assistance to this sector because of its economic and social importance. Last year it was granted over 180 billion roubles, compared to 103.2 billion roubles in 2009. This allowed the railways to set lower prices for passenger and cargo transportation than initially planned. Railway traffic grew by over 10% in 2010, which is fresh evidence that the country’s economy is recovering from the crisis. This is one of the main and best indicators of recovery.”
“The state, for its part, will help people acquire new professional skills, and will finance retraining and supplementary training programmes for staff of the companies engaged in production modernisation. Women employed in hazardous jobs, as well as new mothers on maternity leave, until their children reach the age of three years, will be able to acquire new professions for which there is high demand at state expense. Please note: we are allocating additional budget for these categories of individuals.”
“The upcoming celebrations, which are meant primarily to attract young people. The country's youth must receive as much information as possible on our role in space exploration and the present and future of the Russian cosmonautics. This has to be objective and interesting information provided in the most up-to-date manner. And, naturally, personal meetings with pilots, cosmonauts, and engineers can promote the interest of young people in innovation, technology, and scientific work. This is extremely important both for us and for the successful development of the country as a whole.”
