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.”
"It is crucial to ensure macroeconomic stability and a balanced budget: This is a key prerequisite for successful solution of social and economic tasks at present and in the post-crisis period."
"As for the demographic programmes, we must keep their funding intact despite all the difficulties involved in the drafting of the next year's budget. It is perfectly obvious that these programmes produce results. They help us achieve our goals. Starting next year, women will be able to use maternity capital for the declared purposes."
"I would like once again to reaffirm Russia's support, the Russian Government's support for the lawful Government of Moldova, and for the President of Moldova. We are very glad that the period of internal political tension has passed. In our opinion the Moldovan authorities acted very rationally, reacting calmly even to acts of hooliganism. We expect this process will be over soon. It is even more vital, given the conditions of the global financial and economic crisis, that political stability guarantees the resolution of difficult economic and social tasks."
"We highly value the position of Kazakhstan for its consistent support in the implementation of all integration programmes in the post-Soviet space. It is only natural that in the current difficult conditions our countries have chosen to unite their potentials in countering the negative consequences of the global financial and economic crisis."
"We are going to step up efforts in carrying out a package of measures envisaged by our plan of joint action for 2009-2010. The plan provides for joint study and exploration of space, and cooperation in the fuel-and-energy sector, gas and electric power industries, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and the military-technical sphere."
"We believe it is necessary to make the best possible use of the advantages and potentialities of integration for increasing reciprocal investment and trade and carrying out joint projects. In this sense, the proposed customs union should become a major instrument for overcoming the crisis and resuming economic growth."
"We are starting the budget planning process for the following year and we must begin it proceeding from the parameters that exist today and from the forecasts being made on the basis of current indicators. This is a challenge, and it will require serious, thoughtful and responsible work from us. In this connection some areas of joint work are extremely important between such strategic partners as Russia and Kazakhstan. We are indeed very important partners for each other. Suffice it to say that our trade last year was almost $20 billion."
"The cost of this pension reform to the budget is very high. It runs into hundreds of billions of roubles per year. Needless to say, it will be difficult for the Government and the members of Parliament to find the funds for the pension reform in conditions of declining production and reduced budget revenues due to the current global financial and economic crisis. It is time for us to think about ways we can save. We cannot do without an economising effort."
"The budget for healthcare and demography should fund effective measures making sophisticated medical technology more accessible, and improving aid to patients with cardio-vascular diseases, cancers and traffic accident victims."
"In addition to this, the amount for professional retraining of the unemployed will be increased from 5,000 roubles to 11,000 roubles. The term of retraining is increased accordingly. As we agreed, this revision was conducted in close cooperation with the heads of the regions, and they requested an increase in the term. For some trades, five months are not long enough. Our colleagues believe that this term should be increased to at least six months. This means that the funding should be raised accordingly."
"We have decided to increase financial support for citizens who have temporarily lost their jobs and who want to start their own business. This support will be almost doubled – from 30,000 roubles to 59,000 roubles. This is the annual sum of the biggest unemployment benefit."
"I would like to note our successes in cross border cooperation. Thus, restrictions on movement over the Mumansk-Kirkenes highway were lifted in 2008, and talks are currently underway on drafting an agreement for reciprocal trips of citizens residing in Russia and Norway's adjacent territories."
"I would like to note our successes in cross border cooperation. Thus, restrictions on movement over the Mumansk-Kirkenes highway were lifted in 2008, and talks are currently underway on drafting an agreement for reciprocal trips of citizens residing in Russia and Norway's adjacent territories."
"Today, it is important to adapt our cooperation to the current financial and economic crisis. Apparently, we have definite and considerable competitive advantages. We should pool our efforts in world markets. I am primarily referring to the energy industry, a key element in our bilateral strategic cooperation."
"Last year, our countries reached a record $2.3 billion in trade turnover, but this is far from our limit. Our potential is much bigger than that, and we consider the current level a springboard for reaching new frontiers."
"I am very pleased to note that we maintain regular contacts across the board - from working meetings to top political levels. However, this is not the main point. What matters most is that our relations are developing well. This applies to all aspects of our cooperation. The most objective indicator is the growth of trade, which set a record last year."
"The year's total federal allocations to promote business along many channels approach 80 billion roubles, including 15 billion roubles for the plough-back of regional guarantee funds to enhance the crediting of small and medium-size companies. We aim not merely to increase the quantitative indices of business development but to achieve a qualitative improvement, to help small and medium-size companies to extend the geography of their presence, and acquire a firm footing in such spheres as housing, utilities and municipal services, science, innovation, information technologies and other knowledge-based services."
"This is the first positive trend in the labour market. The number of people registered as unemployed is falling. We hope that is due to our work, at least partly. At the same time, the situation is still difficult. So it's too early rest on our laurels. Any measures we are planning in this area need to be analysed in every aspect, down to the smallest detail, and implemented persistently."
"The main task for the next four years is to make the space industry useful to the Russian consumers, and speed up the build-up of a national group of satellites to enhance the reliability and technical level of communications, radio and television broadcasting, monitoring of the Earth's surface, and weather forecasting. It demands new-generation vehicles, with more extensive functions and longer service life."
"We are neighbours [Russia and Turkey], and that is why energy is a key question. We are diversifying our energy contacts. The Prime Minister has already mentioned our company's participation in a tender for the construction of a nuclear power plant; I am referring to our companies' possible involvement in the construction of four major nuclear power facilities. We are willing to take part in the construction of a CHP (combined heat and power station) with the supply of additional volumes of gas for fuel generation. Turkey came third in Europe in terms of Russian gas supply, after Germany and Italy. Last year it amounted to nearly 24 billion cubic metres - to be precise, 23.9."
"Russia has become Turkey's primary trading partner, with trade turnover approaching $35 billion. And Turkey is also one of Russia's most important trading partners. Whereas several years ago we were principally talking about the construction sector, now we have a very broad diversification in terms of our relations."
"South Stream spectacularly enhances Russian hydrocarbon supplies to Europe, promising sizeable extra exports with our Italian partners' participation. Eni and Gazprom have agreed to increase the amount of pumped gas from 31 billion cubic metres a year to 63."
"Energy implies not only hydrocarbons but also nuclear energy and electricity. Certain Italian companies have invested billions of dollars into the Russian energy industry. We are developing contacts in high technologies. In particular, we are implementing Project Superjet-100 for a very promising medium-range aircraft."
"Now that the relevant documents have been signed and Russia has recognised Abkhazia's independence, we have more opportunities to organise cooperation in all areas, including on the social and economic development of Abkhazia, and organising support for those plans that you and your Government are making for the republic's development."
"Anti-doping measures are of great importance. We are drafting legal amendments to streamline doping control and improve the prevention of prohibited drugs and techniques. The RUSADA independent national anti-doping organisation, established last year, is responsible for doping control in Russia. National anti-doping regulations and educational programmes have been elaborated."
"Construction agreements set additional environmental recommendations, the so called Green Standards, with stringent requirements toward facilities under construction and construction process itself. We intend to formalise the Sochi-2014 environmental framework strategy and several detailed environment protection plans this year."
"Environmental issues have a unique place in Olympic preparations. 30 projects have been submitted for environmental expertise so far. Fourteen have been approved, two turned down, and another 14 are under consideration."
"Work on the main facilities in the mountain and coastal clusters has started, just as the construction of four out of the six Olympic Park palaces. All told, five ice palaces will go up in the Imereti Lowland. I think it is too much for the Black Sea coast. There is an idea to make three of them mobile, and take them to other parts of Russia after the 2014 Sochi Olympics to develop winter sports and popularise the Olympic movement."
"The work has been meeting all deadlines. We find it one of the priority aspects of the Olympic project. More than that, many works are ahead of schedule. The cable road of the Mountain Merry-Go-Round complex, and several facilities of the Gazprom mountain skiing centre have been opened already."
"The overall estimated cost of the Olympic infrastructure is roughly 200 billion roubles. It includes roads connecting Olympic facilities, water and power supplies, sewage, etc. Federal allocations make slightly more than half of this amount, and investments the rest."
"I want to say from the start that the available managerial structure is very precise, and the Olympic project is being funded regularly. We have said many times that necessary allocations will come fully and in time, problems or no problems. And this is what has been happening."
"As far as the Ulan Bator Railway is concerned, I believe that our joint efforts to develop the Mongolian transport infrastructure will allow us to create new jobs and new sources of income, as well as to increase the efficiency of the regional cooperation as a whole. I would like to stress that our project is aimed not only at upgrading the Ulan Bator Railway, but also at developing the Mongolian railway network. We have established the joint venture with this goal in mind."
"We were aiming at the trade turnover reaching $1-1.3 billion by 2010, which we accomplished in 2008. As you can see, we are ahead of schedule. Overall, our trade and economic relations have developed positively. More trustful atmosphere of our partnership and closer cooperation prompt us to reach new agreements, and today you witnessed the signing of a new document."
"The Rostechnology State Corporation will be joining efforts with Mongolia's Erdenet and Mongolrostsvetmet companies in the capacity of a new Russian shareholder. I am confident that Rostechnology will help these Mongolian companies to achieve better efficiency through technological modernisation and streamlined management. Most importantly, it will ensure increased stability against the volatile economic environment."
"We naturally complement each other; our economies do at any event. Japan's advanced technology, our resources in Eastern Siberia and the Far East - we share common interests. We need to sweep aside that which interferes with the development of our relationships off the agenda. Clearly this must happen, and can only be accomplished in ways that correspond to the Russian Federation's national interests."
"Together with our Mongolian partners, we are working to promptly launch joint investment projects in the metal mining industry. I believe that we will succeed in implementing the previously agreed uranium mining and processing projects."
"We decided to increase their workload. By 2015, Sukhoi will supply the Russian Federation's Armed Forces with over 60 cutting edge fighter planes. This will more than ensure there are commissions for the military part of the enterprise. The factory is also working on creating a 5th generation weapons system. Work on that is proceeding according to schedule."
"We decided that in order for shipbuilding in the Far East to be modern and competitive, and to ensure that no one who orders from them, even Russians, feel the requirement to place their orders abroad (and overall you can understand that they want the goods they buy to be at an acceptable market price and of good quality), comprehensive modernisation is required, or to be more precise, virtually new construction. We are also planning such construction at the Zvezda shipbuilding company in Vladivostok."
"We are pleased with how our relations are developing and I would like to note that we have achieved practically all the goals we set for ourselves when we drew up the "Russian-Japanese Action Plan" in 2003."
"As for the second line of the ESPO pipeline project, we have not removed this issue from the agenda. We will address it as the production rate grows in East Siberia. [Russian] companies tell us they are prepared to produce 50-80 million metric tons [of oil] annually there. This would be enough to fill the pipeline and make it commercially expedient."
"The crisis, despite its negative elements, offers a unique opportunity to reform the economy, rehabilitate the global financial system, and formulate a modern agenda that should adequately reflect the growing role of the new centres of economic growth and political influence. Being here in Tokyo, I am referring above all to the Asia-Pacific region."
"Many Japanese companies have extensive experience of working in Russia. As you know, Toyota has already commissioned a plant, and another major Japanese company will inaugurate its plant in the near future (in early June). I would like to draw your attention to the fact that this is taking place in the midst of the global economic crisis. In other words, our cooperation here is very much in demand. This is beyond any doubt."
"As you know, one of Russia's aims is to diversify its economy and make it more innovative. Japan is positioning itself as a global leader of technological progress in the 21st century. I must say that we agree with this. We are all happy about the successes of our Japanese friends and colleagues. We see how successfully Japan is developing high technologies. Needless to say, I consider very important Russia and Japan's cooperation in using their potentialities in this direction."
"I want you to know that we are not only limiting car imports but also opening our borders to technologies and removing customs barriers for commodities which Russian industry and the entire economy may use for technological modernisation."
"The present-day Russian economy is much stronger, and has greater stability. Its scale has changed cardinally, and we have sizeable reserves. So we can afford to address acute social issues, at any rate, and we are dealing with them."
"We must create a tradition of constitutional transition of power and demonstrate to the country and the world that it is possible in Russia and that this is not a catastrophe, but on the contrary, our state is in some ways becoming stronger."
"In our country, indeed, a very good relationship has formed between the President and the Prime Minister. That is an important factor of political stability in Russia."
"As for the actions of the Government, a critical view of the Government's work is an absolutely normal thing. I myself am not always pleased with what some ministries and agencies are doing. In time of crisis its current activities must come under particularly close scrutiny. That is the only way to find the most effective and valid solutions."
"Russia will of course link the issues of missile defence and everything related to it with strategic offensive weapons."
