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.”
“What we need is strong and competent local government. It is essential to Russia’s successful development and to opening the vast potential of all its territories.”
“Amendments to the Tax Code will soon be adopted. Revenues from patents will be almost completely passed on to municipalities – some 90% of them, to be exact. According to preliminary estimates, efficient use of the patent system can help local authorities attract billions of roubles, which is tens or even maybe hundreds of times more than what they currently have. So, municipalities will receive a powerful tool with which to replenish their budgets.”
“It [the idea of establishing the Russian Popular Front] enables all people who are not burdened by ideological considerations and are not bound by any administrative, bureaucratic framework to implement at least part of their own goals and ideas. At any rate, this provides them with such an opportunity.”
“I would like to see United Russia come alive with new ideas, new people, new faces, and for many organisations – both formal and informal – to gain opportunities to express themselves and promote some of their ideas and their own people in the municipal, regional and federal power bodies.”
“Language and a country's spiritual, cultural and historical heritage are what define national identity and bind together the people, society, and the entire country. What’s more, in many ways, these form the foundations for state sovereignty. And therefore, I think it is absolutely right that we focus on these issues and take advantage of new opportunities that become available to us.”
“As you know, we plan to adopt the state programme “Culture of Russia,” and as early as the beginning of 2012, we will substantially increase funding for museums and libraries. <…>Of course, one of the priorities here is to support the Russian language – strengthening its position as an international language and generating interest in Russian language, literature and history both among the peoples of the Russian Federation and in other countries.”
“Russian-Austrian relations have been improving, moving into a new dimension of a partnership based on trust. <…> Austrians are interested in working in Russia, which is very pleasant. Accumulated Austrian investment in Russia has exceeded $4 billion; actually, it is $4.2 billion. There are hundreds of Austrian companies working in Russia. We are very pleased with this and will do our best to further develop our business partnership.”
“Our joint response to the crisis, including the establishment of the Anti-Crisis Fund, helped us stall the recession, bring down inflation, and head off a sharp decline in trade between our countries. We did not just promptly develop and implement collective response measures. We also reaffirmed our cohesion as an organisation and displayed a constructive approach based upon mutual responsibility. This only further testifies to EurAsEC’s potential, the importance of its integration resources for securing the interests of our national economies, and their fast and sustainable growth.”
“It is worth mentioning that the Customs Union has already brought about significant and tangible results. Mutual trade between Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia has almost doubled since the Customs Union came into full effect last year. The Common Economic Space, founded upon the three states I just mentioned, will be another important step towards promoting deeper integration. By July 1, we plan to ratify the package of documents necessary for its coming into effect in January 2012.”
“We need to make the necessary amendments to the Tax Code to protect the state's interests. Of course, this must be done extremely cautiously, carefully, following the well-known medical rule – do no harm. We need to make such amendments absolutely transparent, uniformly understood and, most importantly, consistently applied to all economic actors.”
“We've repeatedly spoken about the need to create additional mechanisms for young, talented people to be able to realise their ideas and proposals. <…> But we all know just how difficult it is at times to get through all the bureaucratic red tape. That is why we presented the idea of establishing an agency for strategic developments, a mechanism intended to open up new social mobility for young talent.”
“I’d like to discuss one more important issue that requires responsible and well-orchestrated efforts on behalf of the federal and regional authorities. It is impermissible to have a formal, bureaucratic, or callous approach to this issue. I’m referring to the social adaptation of young people leaving orphanages and children’s homes. In simple terms, this is a question of how to help them find their place in independent adult life, acquire normal living conditions, receive professions, and find jobs. Needless to say, we must do all we can to protect them against risks, swindlers, and overt criminals. <…>Yet, we must openly admit that we still don’t have a systemic approach to this issue. Government bodies must follow up on every young person leaving a boarding house. They should know everything about his or her life, requirements, and difficulties.”
“The agency's work is to be arranged in three areas. The first has to do with new projects and initiatives of a practical nature. The second is related to the assessment of qualifications. <…>And, finally, the third area is related to social projects for NGOs and individuals involved in culture and the arts, public health, and education. I believe that the agency could organise work in all three areas. The Russian government could found such an agency under the purview of the prime minister.”
“The national school for training coaches and teachers has developed quickly and has by right received international recognition in its 115 years of existence. Moreover, our specialists are considered to be the best in the world in many sports. Therefore, it’s very important to maintain professional continuity and carry on the traditions we’ve established.”
“Athleticism should be promoted at regular secondary schools, too. As you know, the third physical education lesson is about to be introduced in the curriculum. I am confident that this is absolutely the right move. However, we should support this decision by building new sports facilities. This is the only way to achieve our goal.”
“We want to involve as many people as possible in physical fitness and sports and to promote the values of a healthy lifestyle in society.”
“Russia deserves to host this championship [World Ice Hockey Championship] just to commemorate our glorious achievements, and not just because we have not been awarded this honour in decades, but because of our great desire to stage a great event and promote the ideas of sportsmanship, athletism and fair play.”
“I believe that hosting the World Ice Hockey Championship will give Russia fresh impetus to develop infrastructure and to raise public awareness, primarily among young people, about the ideals of sport. We hope it will encourage people to take up physical fitness and help promote a healthy lifestyle.”
“We are establishing the Russian Popular Front in order to draw together constructive ideas, so that civil society, including youth, women’s and veterans’ organisations, the business community, trade unions and associations, has an additional opportunity to become directly involved in charting highly important state decisions.”
“It is our opinion that it is essential to Russia’s development to preserve civil and inter-ethnic peace, accord, mutual respect and solidarity between representatives of various ethnic groups, religions, generations and representatives of various professional categories.”
“It is necessary to get the younger generation interested in inventions, new solutions, and scientific discoveries. This is a common task for the educational system, the media, and cultural institutions. Your union could make a very weighty contribution to this effort.”
“Educational programmes and courses at institutions of higher learning and vocational schools must be tailored to the requirements of companies, while students must have an opportunity to undergo practical training at the plants where they will work in the future.”
“We’re working to build common platforms through which research centres, manufacturers, and consumers of finished products will test new technologies for the production and introduction of modern equipment. This applies primarily to so-called technology platforms. Such sites will operate according to the principle of partnership between the state and private investors.”
“The state must create favourable conditions for the development and introduction of innovations, supporting domestic manufacturers in the high-risk R&D stage, especially in cases in which it is possible to come up with a homegrown breakthrough.”
“Throughout its history, our engineering industry has proved its ability to guarantee our technological superiority in key areas of development. <…>We have brilliant examples of triumphs in science and design in the missile industry, the defence sector, the nuclear power industry, and power engineering. I have no doubt that the current potential of the engineering industry and the ability of our engineers, designers, and workers give us the right to hope for new triumphs and breakthroughs in the future. I’m sure we will not be disappointed.”
“I believe that the auction arrangements for purchasing Russian or foreign-made equipment should also be improved. If Russia makes something that complies with international standards, then there should be no preference for foreign companies or suppliers with regard to such equipment. That doesn’t mean we should squeeze them out of the Russian market. All I’m saying is that, regrettably, they enjoy greater preferences in comparison to domestic producers.”
“We are absolutely convinced that Russia should have a complete technological and production chain, from research and design to components and the large-scale manufacture of finished goods.”
“Over the next decade, Russia should join the ranks of the world’s five largest economies by GDP. I am, of course, not talking about a numbers race but about the need to achieve qualitative development through innovation and increased efficiency in both conventional and so-called new industries and sectors of the economy.”
“We need to rapidly develop and modernise production units, we need to switch over to an innovative economy and resolve social issues. <…> And, of course, the Russian Popular Front is open to all political forces that share such approaches.”
“The proposal deals with establishing a non-governmental association based on the organisations, political parties and citizens that share common values connected with love of the country, improvement of people’s standards of living, strengthening of Russia’s power, and the search for just solutions in the social sphere.”
“That all political structures must be absolutely equal in this entity [Russian Popular Front]. United Russia, the trade unions and youth organisations must all carry equal weight. There should be no senior or junior partner, and everybody, and this is important, would have the opportunity and the right not only to articulate their ideas and suggestions for the best, most effective development areas for Russia, but would also be able to put forward their own candidates, which would remain independent, but which would win parliament seats on the United Russia party list and, once there, would work together.”
“Once young people get involved in the development and adoption of nationally-important decisions, we’ll have more opportunities to do away with the chronic problems of Russian society. <…>I believe that these new recruits will help us go beyond the mere adjustment of our industrial and social policies and help us give a fresh start to the development of our human capital.”
“The idea is to set up an agency for strategic initiatives to promote new projects. The agency will report to the prime minister. It will operate as a public service body in its initial stage, but later, we will consider integrating it into the government structure. This agency would not just draft proposals on what needs to be done and what needs to be changed but would include people who implement innovative projects themselves.”
“I will explain them now to you. I want to note that selections to the State Duma candidate pool must be completed before August. We then need to discuss the candidates, so that the electoral list can be finalised in September at the party congress. The selection procedure should not only involve party members, but non-affiliated United Russia supporters, trade union members, members of women's and youth organisations, public associations, citizens who take the initiative, who are actively engaged. In short, all those willing to have a direct influence on government policy through United Russia in the State Duma. What am I suggesting and how do I propose we do this? Essentially, I propose creating what in political practice is called a broad popular front.”
“I’d like to emphasise the necessity of responding immediately to any cases of an overly bureaucratic, formal attitude to veterans. It is inadmissible to make them go in circles in search of documents for apartments, social payments, medical services and health resorts. <…> Workers of public and party agencies should not delay at all. They should be able to see these problems and act in advance. They should come to people who need support, and deal with urgent problems that affect the interests, rights and living standards of our people.”
“We will continue developing an easily accessible and affordable infrastructure for sports and recreation, opening new stadiums, swimming pools, sports and fitness centres all across Russia. In all, we will be creating a modern national fitness system.”
“Once young people get involved in the development and adoption of nationally-important decisions, we’ll have more opportunities to do away with the chronic problems of Russian society. <…>I believe that these new recruits will help us go beyond the mere adjustment of our industrial and social policies and help us give a fresh start to the development of our human capital.”
“We’ve decided to create six special economic zones for tourism and recreation in the North Caucasus Federal District and the Southern Federal District. Some 60 billion roubles in federal allocations will be channeled into their development. <…>In order to build a powerful tourism industry, we should raise the quality of hospitality services, train competent personnel, develop effective marketing techniques, create a comfortable environment [for operators and tourists], and improve the accessibility of the region.”
“We should pool our resources and capitalise on newly available opportunities. We should build a solid foundation for subsequent sustainable development. Just as in the rest of Russia, we intend to make a genuine infrastructural breakthrough in the south and secure the area's effective integration with regional and international trade and investment projects. <…>We will build coal, grain, oil, container and passenger terminals, retrofit the Novorossiysk and Rostov transport hubs, and construct new ports, such as Taman on the Azov Sea and Olya on the Caspian Sea. The latter will become an important link in the North-South continental transport corridor.”
“All industrial projects in the Russian Arctic are thoroughly reviewed for their environmental impact. This is our principled position, we will proceed like this in the future, and this fully accords with the Basic Principles of State Policy in the Russian Arctic adopted in 2008.”
“By 2012, we should create a common market with free movement of goods, services, capital and manpower. The common market will have uniform rules, unified legislation, coordinated tax, monetary and currency and financial policies, common principles that regulate natural monopolies, and a competition policy to ensure the equal, non-discriminatory access of the enterprises of the member states in the common economic space to the markets of goods and services and to state and municipal orders.”
“I have to stress that the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space (CES) are not an exclusive club. We are open to the accession of other countries, we are ready for closer cooperation with the European Union, including in the format of a constructive dialogue between the Common Economic Space and the EU.”
“It is necessary to make the most of the development institutions that have been set up expressly for the North Caucasus. They are designed to attract domestic and foreign capital to the region and to render expert assistance to the business community in implementing investment projects.”
“The federal programme for the North Caucasus development should become one of the main instruments of development in the region. It integrates major federal programmes that are already operational – such as the “Southern Russia,” “Development of the Chechen Republic,” and “Development of Ingushetia” programmes – along with new sub-programmes that are to be drafted for each region of the North Caucasus Federal District. In other words, after the adoption of this federal programme, all territories of the district will have their own development plans and will receive adequate federal support for their implementation.”
“Naturally, many items stored at the Hermitage are of global cultural significance. It is the pride of Russia, and we must make sure that this date is celebrated accordingly. I’m referring not only to the celebration but also to using this anniversary as an occasion to carry out a series of long overdue measures to strengthen the museum.”
“It is important that the interested companies take an active part in various arrangements for professional training. They could sign contracts with educational institutions, offer internships, and offer decent wages to their trainees to encourage talented young people to join them.”
“Modern systems use the latest safety methods. Our nuclear reactors can operate without external power for three days. That is quite enough time to react. Specialists say they can make them run on their own for five days, only it would cost more. It’s a matter of cost, that’s all.”
“As for nuclear energy safety, this is a cornerstone of that type of energy. Surely you know as well as I do that the inspections of our power plants by the International Atomic Energy Agency have shown that our safety standards are the best in the world. I am proud to say this and I am saying it with full responsibility.”
“We should primarily concentrate on the needs of our armed forces. I mean, it is not the fact that a company exists that is important. It is important that this company produces goods and services that meet modern standards – in the civilian sectors. In the defence sector, it is important that companies supply equipment that would meet the armed forces’ needs and help the country feel confident in the event of any conflict – local or international.”
