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.”
“We planned to upgrade pensions three times this year: the basic pension was planned to go up by 8.7% starting March 1, the insurance part of the pension by 15.2% starting April 1, and now we'll have to increase it by 17.5%, and starting December 1, 2009 by 26.5% or, if necessary, by 30%.”
“We also need to consider proposals to ratify intergovernmental agreements with Jordan and Qatar on encouragement and mutual protection of investment. This will create a friendlier environment for Russian businesses in those lucrative markets.”
“If we subsidize two-thirds of the Central Bank's refinancing rate (we have agreed to do so, which is why we must do this) for citizens who take out car loans in 2009, the state will have to pay 8% of the rate they pay to commercial banks for them. It is necessary to allocate funds in the budget for this purpose - about two billion roubles.”
“Regional employment programmes. I issued instructions to develop such programmes early in the year. I am aware that this work has been completed in 72 regions. They will get 21.8 billion roubles in funding, out of the total 43.7 billion. Fifteen programmes have been approved and 3 of them have already been signed. They are Yaroslavl, the Kirov Region, and Kransoyarsk.”
“The Yaroslavl region offers an example of a diversified programme. 3.500 people are to be sent for retraining. Several hundred people can move to a new place where they will live and have temporary employment, but they will be entitled to benefits. And another 22,000 people will be sent to a place of temporary work, where temporary jobs will be created for them.”
“If inflation is higher, the increase may be by about 30%, but we should look together at the real state of affairs and raise it by as much as is necessary so that the average size of the social pension is not less than the living minimum of a pensioner. This is the challenge facing us, and we must meet it.”
“Russia is ready to discuss any issues and problems, including the whole range of issues connected with law and freedom. We hope that these problems will be discussed together. We are still not satisfied with the way the problems of the Russian-speaking minority in the Baltic states are being addressed. We are aware of the rights of migrants in European countries and how they are violated. We know the situation in some penitentiary systems in some European countries, and have similar problems. We think it is necessary to discuss the whole range of problems both in Russia and in the European Union countries to find common ways of solving them.”
"Russia is the EU's third-largest trading partner after the United States and China. We are the EU's fourth-largest supplier. During the past year, Russia imported more than 100 billion euros worth of goods from the EU. This is a significant amount in international economic relations, which is why our consultations are obviously important."
“One more serious question on our agenda is linked to preparations for the Olympics in Sochi. VEB is designed to be a major money lender to the companies involved in the construction of Olympic facilities. In the conditions of the global crisis, this will allow builders to attract long-term loans on acceptable terms, given, of course, proper guarantees of compliance with commitments. I consider it necessary for VEB to issue loans exclusively for the payment of the work done. Needless to say, its real scope and costs should be permanently monitored.”
“We have said more than once that our goal is to turn the rouble into reserve currency. Please believe me, this is an understandable and reachable goal. We are already using roubles for settlements in trade with some countries.”
“The capital of state-owned banks will also be increased. Needless to say, here the state can take part in first level capital, that is, increase its presence in these banks. We are planning to invest 200 billion roubles in the VTB and 100 billion roubles in Vneshekonombank, plus, possibly, a 100 billion subordinated loan. Sberbank will not be neglected, either, if it needs more money. This task will be carried out by the Central Bank”
"Under the law and memo on fiscal policy, one of the priority tasks of the Bank of Development is to support small and medium-size business. This primarily applies to companies that are operating in production, introducing new technologies, and creating jobs. As we understand, this is particularly urgent today."
“In the next few months, the state will considerably increase the share of its participation in the banking capital of the second level. This primarily applies to private commercial banks. I'd like to stress once again that I'm talking about the second level, that is, so-called subordinated loans. They are given for a long term and cannot be recalled ahead of time. For this reason, banks register them as their capital. However, creditors do not have the right to take part in administering banks; the ownership of banks does not change, either.”
“We consider it inexpedient for the state to invest directly into private banks of the first level. In other words, we do not want to buy shares of private banks. First, responsibility for these banks should rest with their current owners; they should not seek shelter behind the state. This is not the case. Second, the state's participation in banks' capital of first level may violate the rights of minority shareholders, which is also inadmissible”.
“We will use the following mechanism for granting subordinated loans. An additional 100 billion roubles will be earmarked, apart from the already allotted 225 billion roubles, for this purpose. To receive subordinated loans, the shareholders of commercial banks should increase their capital themselves. For each rouble of additional capitalisation, commercial banks will receive one rouble of a subordinated loan.”
“We have promised that no matter how difficult it may get, we won't apply shock therapy. I believe that these measures have primarily helped the country to avoid a crisis shock.”
“It is important to realize that tense competition for investment will unfold during post-crisis recovery. Our task is to actively create the best possible environment for this investment in our economy.”
“We have already developed a good working relationship in this sphere. We are ready to switch from the implementation of individual projects, which we have carried out successfully, to full-scale partnership between Siemens and our company, Rosatom. We could actively work both in Russia and Germany, and in the markets of other countries.”
“The Church has always been very loyal to all citizens of the country regardless of their ethnic origin or religion. It has always promoted peace between different religions in Russia, thereby consolidating the country.”
“In a dialogue with other sister churches, the Russian Orthodox Church has always upheld, and I hope will continue to uphold, the national and spiritual identity of the Russian people. We very much hope that this process will continue.”
“The Russian Orthodox Church has always supported multi-polar views in Russia, and always facilitated the formation of a multi-ethnic and multi-religious state. We are hoping that it will continue doing so in the future.”
“I hope very much that various agreements reached during your visit will be implemented in the near future. I am speaking of credit and financial agreements and those in the sphere of industrial production. This includes hydrocarbons, telecommunications, GLONASS, shipbuilding and engineering. We are very happy to have reached all these agreements.”
“You know how considerate we are of the environment. Our Olympic blueprints are ecologically sound. The Russian Government has adopted an ad hoc programme for the environmental aspects of preparations for the 2014 Olympics. On expert insistence, we have shifted the sites of three key Olympic projects from the buffer zone of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve. Everything has been coordinated on the whole, as far as I know.”
“I want to stress that, despite global financial and economic problems that are also affecting Russia, whatever concerns the Olympic project in the broad sense is protected by relevant budget items with guaranteed funding. None of the Russian and foreign investors-we have foreign investors, too-have given up initial intentions, mainly due to the high investment potential of the Russian south, particularly the Krasnodar Territory. Federal budget allocations to related purposes amounted to 113 billion roubles in 2008, plus an additional 127 billion in 2009. As you know, we have adopted a three-year budget and necessary sums are earmarked for every subsequent period.”
“This work is among our top priorities not only because it is preparation for Olympics but also because it is a comprehensive plan for the development of southern Russia, so Olympic and developmental goals fully coincide in this sense.”
“We are paying special attention to human rights in the context of our Olympic efforts. Proprietors are entitled to compensation for their land in keeping with market prices. We have determined to offer them a choice between ready housing, new land plots, or monetary compensation, and have amended the Olympic Law accordingly.”
“There are 20, even 21, ongoing projects, and they will be ready for test competitions by 2012. We finished the initial start-up complex of the railway freight yard last year to accept up to 5 millions tonnes a year of construction materials and equipment. Another start-up complex, for an annual 14 millions tonnes, will be ready this year. We will soon start work at the Sochi cargo seaport, which means we will be ready with practically the entire logistic infrastructure for mass-scale construction.”
“Last year the trade turnover between our countries reached a record level of $34 billion. In the future, too, we need to make the most effective use of the advantages of our integration to create new jobs and expand markets for our industrial products.”
“We agreed to accelerate transferring $1 billion, the second tranche of the loan Russia is giving Belarus.”
"I am convinced that in order to minimise the negative impact of the world crisis on our economies we need effective joint actions. We should make full use of the benefits of integration, encourage mutual trade and strengthen cooperation in production."
“We have confirmed mutual intention to continue our efforts to establish a common economic space and a real customs union. I would like to note that three countries - Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan - are now involved in this activity.”
“We adopted the forecast balances of supply and demand for the key products of the Union State and the balances of fuel and energy resources for 2009. I hope you understand how important this issue is under the present circumstances to ensure the stable performance of industrial enterprises.”
“For the first time a peaceful change of top leadership took place in Russia in line with the Fundamental Law, the Constitution. We held presidential elections on time and in accordance with the Constitution. We also held parliamentary elections. These were major events in the life of the country.”
“True, the state has increased its stake in energy giant Gazprom, a strategic company, from 38% to 51%, which makes it a controlling stake. What's so surprising and unusual about this, compared to the European energy sector? How many years did it take France to denationalise its power-generating industry? We are now witnessing relations between major European companies, with the state directly participating in such disputes.”
“Russia's share in trade with Mongolia has grown considerably, reaching 61%. We have good prospects, and by that, I mean agriculture, ore mining, railway development, and nuclear power engineering.”
“It is with great attention and alarm that we are following current developments. Naturally, we have reacted optimistically to the decision of Israel and HAMAS to conclude a cease-fire agreement. We understand the entire complexity and tenseness of the current situation. We hope very much that conditions for positive development will be created.”
“We are content with the course of relations that have taken place between Russia and Armenia. Russia is Armenia's first trade and economic partner in both numbers and in the quality of our cooperation. We hope to continue this positive development. Our partnership is based on confidence. This applies to all spheres of our cooperation, in energy and in other branches of the economy. Our political dialogue is also based on trust.”
“We are glad that our relations are developing consistently, and that we maintain regular contact at all levels - both at the top and in business. Our trade and economic ties are growing. I think that in the current difficult conditions of the world crisis, cooperation between Turkey and Russia is important for overcoming the problems that we now encounter.”
“We are simply stating our opinion. We believe that too much emphasis on resolving problems by force and the neglect of international law are counterproductive and destroy international relations. Near as we can tell from the signals coming from Washington, the current administration shares this approach to a certain extent. We know Obama's position on Iraq, and his intention to withdraw troops from there. We have heard that there is no special need to admit Georgia or Ukraine into NATO. There are different ways of ensuring their security although, frankly speaking, nobody threatens them. We have heard that there is a need to talk about the deployment of a missile defence system in Europe.”
“The main limitation is, of course, in our minds. And, to my deep regret, I must admit it also exists in certain parts of Russian society, too, as well as in Europe and America. We really need to get rid of that. First of all, we would like to have the image of an equal and reliable partner.”
“As for transportation infrastructure, we realise full well that it cannot develop rapidly enough in a country as vast as Russia, even though the target allocations we have earmarked are beyond comparison with what Russia and, before it, the Soviet Union, previously spent on this purpose.”
“We have reduced the tax burden on the energy industry and will make further cuts. We have reduced the profit tax rate from 24% to 20%, which mainly concerns champions. We will help them if need be. We are helping them even now with loan refinancing, which mainly concerns foreign loans. We have earmarked $50 billion for this purpose and established a special agency to assist such companies.”
“True, we are increasing import duties of certain ready-made equipment to promote Russian manufacturers-but I don't think we are extremists in this respect. We are also reducing and even abolishing import duties for technical equipment, especially of the kind Russia is not manufacturing, thus promoting Russian industrial advancement. This support concerns not only the big businesses you call "champions", but also small and medium-sized businesses. We have raised bonus depreciation by 10-30%, which also concerns the entire national economy.”
“We have really done much to implement information technologies in everyday life. The idea of computer networks and access to the Internet in a tiny Siberian village was, until quite recently, implausible. It is a reality now-we have done it through a federal programme. Every Russian school-I really mean every, wherever it might be, in Siberia, the Far East, northern or southern Russia-has computer classes and access to the Internet. IT implementation will go on because economic and social development makes it a must.”
“There are a lot of important issues on the global agenda in which most countries have shared interests. These include the anti-crisis policies we are discussing, joint efforts to reform international financial institutions, to improve regulatory mechanisms, ensure energy security-which demands teamwork by all of us- and mitigate the global food crisis, which is an extremely pressing issue today. Russia is willing to contribute to dealing with international priority issues. We expect all our partners in Europe, Asia, and America, including the new U.S. administration, to show interest in further constructive cooperation in dealing with all these issues and more. We wish the new team success.”
“My conviction is that reasonable restraint in military spending, especially coupled with efforts to enhance global security, will certainly produce significant economic dividends.”
“The world has lately come to face an unheard-of surge in violence and other aggressive actions, such as the present Georgian leadership's adventurous outing in the Caucasus, recent terrorist attacks in India, and escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip. Although not apparently linked directly, these developments still have common features. First of all, I am referring to the existing international organisations' inability to provide any constructive solutions to regional conflicts, or any effective proposals for interethnic and interstate settlement. Multilateral political mechanisms have proved as ineffective as the global financial and economic regulators.”
“We are convinced that those who create attractive conditions for global investment already now will become leaders of the global economic restoration. Our priorities include: the creation of a business-friendly environment and development of competition; the establishment of a stable lending system, resting on sufficient internal resources; implementation of transportation and other infrastructure projects. I have mentioned some of them here.”
“We are already a highly developed and educated nation, but we need Russian citizens to obtain the highest quality and most up-to-date education in those professional skills that will be widely in demand in TODAY'S and TOMORROW'S world. Therefore, we will be proactive in promoting educational programmes. We will expand international and other student exchange programmes. We will also create such conditions that the best researchers and professors - regardless of their citizenship - will want to come and work in Russia.”
