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.”
“Vnesheconombank could credit commercial banks so they fund projects for affordable economy-class housing. As we agreed before, this investment should amount to at least 50 billion roubles, and the funding source should be Vnesheconombank’s return on operations in financial markets. I’d like to remind you that the bank earned profits from Russian companies’ shares which it bought during the recession and which have gone up. It would be sound to invest these revenues in housing programmes. These monies will be provided at only 3%, which will allow banks to reduce interest rates for end borrowers, ordinary people.”
“We are gradually integrating the Far East into our country’s common economic space, removing obstacles that impede the region’s normal development and laying a stable base for future growth. What is the main objective and what priorities will we focus on in our work? First of all, we must create a transport infrastructure that will be comfortable and affordable for the public and efficient for business and operation.”
“We have created an effective mechanism to ensure that people can receive medical services for free, as guaranteed by the state. I'd like to emphasise that these services are of the appropriate quality, or at least so it should be. Starting January 1, 2011 we will implement modernisation programmes that are designed to upgrade regional hospitals and clinics – providing them with new equipment and promoting the adoption of new technology and new medical standards. We will have the additional opportunity to raise salaries in the industry.”
“As for democracy, this is a long-running argument we have been having with our American colleagues. <…> And when we tell our American colleagues that there are systemic problems in this sphere we hear, “Don’t poke your noses into our affairs. This is how things work here and this is the way it is going to be.” We are not butting in, but I would also like to advise our colleagues not to poke their noses into our affairs. This is the sovereign choice of the Russian people. The Russian people unequivocally backed democracy in the early 90s. They will not be swayed from this path. No one should have any doubts on that score. This is in Russia’s own interests. And we will definitely continue along this path.”
“You can take my word for it that the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be up to the highest standards. New modern stadiums and facilities will be built in time, and to perfection. We are eager to do our best to secure the comfort and safety of our guests. We also have a couple of offers. You know about it. Visa-free entry and free of charge trips between cities to watch football matches. Besides, you can get to know Russia, a unique country with a long history and rich culture. Not bad, not bad at all.”
“First of all, we need to show that Russia is an open country, that it is open to the whole world. People will understand what Russia is when they come here. There are still a lot of stereotypes left over from the past. But the more contacts we establish, the faster these stereotypes will dissipate.We can move this process forward by hosting major sporting events such as the World Students Games, the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. Moreover, they will ensure that, at least in Europe, there are not any visible or invisible Berlin Walls.”
“We have taken a major decision in the interests of domestic producers – in 2011 we’ll cut poultry imports to Russia practically in half. This was not an easy decision but we’ve taken it with a view to reducing imports in general and strengthening domestic agriculture.”
“We ask all our friends to support us in our World Cup bid. Germany is among the first of our friends. <..> But we understand that FIFA members must make this decision on the basis of many factors that come into play regarding holding the World Cup in one country or another, and proceeding from the strategic aim of developing football worldwide. I believe that the fact that Eastern Europe has never held a world championship is an important motive for deciding in Russia's favour.”
“At a certain point Russia and Germany charted this course of strengthening cooperation, of building a strategic partnership, and this approach is yielding real, tangible results. Bilateral trade revenue now stands at about 18 billion euros for each side. Well, take 18 billion euros, maybe by yearend it will be 20 billion euros, that's the volume of goods that German industry produces and sells on our market. Is this a lot or a little? And this, as you know, means providing jobs and prosperity for millions of people in Germany.”
“We have all the opportunities for collective development, particularly great transit and transport potential within the SCO, above all continental corridors North-South and Asia-Europe. We could promote broad cooperation in this area, and create the right conditions to launch large-scale ambitious international projects. We agreed with our dialogue partners to expedite the creation of a special SCO account that would become an instrument of financial support for new projects, an account that would accumulate both state and private funds.”
“Russia and Tajikistan are closely tied by bonds of friendship. Our relations have strengthened significantly over the past few years. Our mutual trust is clearly evidenced by the cooperation between our military agencies and the presence of a full-fledged Russian military base in Tajikistan that has been operating with your direct support for a long time. I believe that this is an important factor in the region’s stability.”
“While our discussion today is about the fate of the tiger, we are in fact touching on issues that are critical for the entire planet, humanity and its future. Using the example of the tiger, we are speaking about how to preserve nature. We are saying that human civilization can only develop sustainably if we take a responsible attitude to nature, our common home. We all have to work hard and join forces to ensure that this attitude becomes widespread.”
“The tax service is not a body that makes money, but one that takes it away. And yet, any rational person understands the important role the tax services play in any economy and any state. It is important, of course, that the legislative, legal, and regulatory framework of the tax service has been properly developed. But how the process of administration is organised is no less important. I want to thank all the employees of the tax service for their work.”
“Eurasian economic community is the undisputed leader of integration in the post-Soviet space. Over its 10-year history, EurAsEC has become a mature and influential regional organisation. Our five countries are successfully promoting joint social and economic initiatives. We also cooperate in the cultural sphere, increasing the tempo and improving the quality of our joint work. The Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan has grown into the community's centerpiece project. Since its launch, it has already brought tangible benefits to some enterprises and even entire industries, and has accelerated post-crisis economic recovery.”
“I'd like to say a few words about the VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation. You visited it seven years ago. Do you remember the condition it was in? The involvement of Rostekhnologii changed everything. The support of the local authorities changed the situation beyond recognition. They have invested almost $700 million in reconstruction and are planning to spend as much in the next two to three years. This will fundamentally change production. Major changes will also take place here, at the Locomotive Plant. AVISMA launched new production with American partners; the Locomotive Plant is cooperating with German partners, whereas the Pervouralsk New Pipe Plant is a strictly Russian enterprise. All three enterprises are paying a great deal of attention to the prospects for creating an entirely new technological foundation, and they deserve support.”
“The regions should also create their own road funds. I’d like to emphasise once again that we will primarily provide assistance to the regions that set up these funds. We have drafted the necessary amendments to the Budget Code and are about to submit them to the State Duma. I’d like to ask the deputies to review the government’s proposals as a matter of priority. I’d also like to request that our colleagues in the regions promptly make all of the decisions necessary for establishing road funds.This will allow us to launch the new mechanisms for funding road construction next January.”
“Resolving housing problems is certainly one of our main priorities. This policy is aimed at providing new apartments or new houses to as many Russian families as possible. People should have a range of options for improving their housing depending on each family’s income and current circumstances. These options must include state support, mortgage or personal savings.”
“The South Stream project is not connected with gas prices in any way. <…> We are suggesting that a pipeline be built from the Russian shore to Bulgaria to fully guarantee unbroken supplies to Bulgaria and all of Southern Europe. That’s what this is about: to reduce transit risks to the lowest possible or eliminate them entirely. To this end, upgrading the infrastructure is the main thing.”
“Bulgarian resorts have always been popular with Russians. Hundreds of thousands of Russians spend their holidays on the Bulgarian coast of the Black Sea. Between January and August of this year 320,000 Russian tourists visited Bulgaria. This number is expected to reach half a million soon. Russian companies invest a great deal in Bulgarian tourism infrastructure. Russia is eager to continue interacting with Bulgaria to promote mutual tourism.”
