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.”
“I'd like to speak about the housing issue. This has been the main issue in this country for many, many years. As you know, we promised to resolve this problem for those veterans of the Great Patriotic War who registered before March 1, 2005. We have reached this goal. The Krasnodar Territory was the last region to report that it had carried out this objective. We received their report on May 1 of this year. I assume that there are still some problems, but let me repeat that all regions have officially reported on this issue. Of course, we will verify this, but it seems as if the problem has been resolved - 28,500 veterans have received flats.”
“It goes without saying that our society and the state should do everything in their power so that veterans can enjoy honour and respect and lead a dignified life. In this context, I'd like to say that it is our duty to make sure you always feel the moral support of society and the state. I'm deeply convinced that this is necessary, not just for our veterans, but primarily for our society as such, because all citizens of our country should understand and see with their own eyes that our state will never ignore those who work honestly, and, if need be, fight selflessly for the protection of their Fatherland, even placing the greatest sacrifice of all on the altar of common victory - their lives. And, I repeat, this is a powerful lesson for future Russian generations.”
“The World Student Games gain special significance on the eve of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Kazan will be a kind of testing ground for Sochi. Here we will perfect the system for coordinating various agencies and test the effectiveness of the mechanisms we have developed. And of course, we should make use of the experience we gain in Kazan in building sport facilities and infrastructure and resolving land issues. I want to stress that the administrative agencies of the two projects - for the Sochi Olympics and the Kazan Games - cooperate closely and share the experience they have gained. This makes us confident that the Kazan Games will serve as a worthy prelude to the Sochi athletic festival in 2014. I never doubt that good preparation for these ambitious events will help support the Russian bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.”
“Russia and Ukraine are already cooperating and interacting productively in the nuclear energy sector. There are many companies in each of our countries that are closely linked to one another. We want to broaden this cooperation: building new units at the Khmelnitsky Nuclear Power Plant and securing Ukrainian partners for work on a large-scale development programme for the Russian nuclear power industry. In addition, we are ready to enter other countries' markets together. Undoubtedly, and I want to point this out, Russia has recently formed a solid set of foreign orders for the construction of energy facilities. Our banks have considerable resources to finance such projects, and we would like Ukrainian companies to participate in their implementation.”
“To create a favourable investment climate for this project, we exempted the developers of the Caspian fields from the mineral extraction tax. Companies have also raised the issue of reducing import duties. We'll think about it. I've already issued corresponding directives to government agencies, including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Energy. We must calculate the costs and benefits of these projects. But I'm not ruling this out. Either way, we'll support projects of this kind. As far as support instruments and mechanisms, we need to consult with you and decide together.”
“We are now implementing National Borders Federal Targeted Programme. The programme began in 2003 and must be completed next year - it is in force until 2011. Work along the North Caucasian section of the border has been fully completed: seventy-two modern border checkpoints have been built there. In effect, infrastructure along this section of the border has essentially been rebuilt. Needless to say, this has helped us enhance security in the region and eliminate many channels for supporting terrorists. Coast Guard systems have been reinforced, mostly in the Pacific, where the need to protect our economic and biological resources is most pressing. The Coast Guard received 46 ships and other vessels in 2009 alone. In general, we are improving the system for protecting the national borders, while focusing on addressing real threats instead of creating obstacles for regular economic activity.”
“We do have such plans (holding WTO), but we haven't joined the WTO yet. We are currently negotiating. As you know, these issues are very complicated. Just look at Ukraine's accession terms, at the losses Ukraine's economy has sustained by abolishing certain customs duties, for example. Just look at the aircraft industry. We cannot do this because we cherish our aircraft sector. This is a complicated negotiating process for us.”
“As for the nuclear power industry, Ukraine is a distinguished country in Europe: it comes second or third in Europe after France and, if I am not mistake, Belgium. Half of the electricity produced in Ukraine is from nuclear power plants. It is important that these plants, these blocks and units be modernised. You could modernise them more effectively, if you cooperate with Russian companies. We are interested in more than just cooperation, we are also willing to take an active part, along with our Ukrainian partners, in the modernisation of Ukraine's generating units and to allow our Ukrainian partners to take advantage of the Russian market. We have plans to double nuclear energy production capacity in Russia in the next 10 to 15 years.”
“In fact, they have received two billion Euros worth of contracts through just one project, which involves the construction of the pipeline along the bottom of the Baltic Sea. And that is not all. If we carry out other major infrastructure projects like the South Stream, and this is very likely since we have no reason to doubt that we will complete this ambitious project, then there will be additional contracts. If Sollers and Fiat implement their programmes, Fiat plants will be busy for quite some time to come. The same applies to the chemical industry, where cooperation will lead to contracts for both Russian and Italian companies. We have a great interest in these sorts of projects, because they give us access to new knowledge and technology. This is cooperation in the broadest and most direct sense of the word.”
“Before building something you first need to sign a supply contract. Building a pipeline without any contracts is senseless and highly risky. No one in this business would do that. Please, name at least one contract that has been signed under the Nabucco project. We can sign such contracts for the South Stream but I do not see anybody who would be keen to do the same under Nabucco. However, this does not mean that the project is impossible to implement. Who knows, the situation in Europe may change, Europe could start consuming so much natural gas, that demand would grow so fast that European consumers would cling to any opportunity. Then it would make sense to consider alternative routes. I believe that this is still premature.”
