Implementation of all socio-economic projects in Chechnya will be continued. This statement was made by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during his meeting with Ramzan Kadyrov, at which the Chechen President reviewed the situation in the region.
"Considering the difficulties of the current period, we'll suspend some projects but won't give up any of them," Mr Putin said. He is convinced that today it is necessary to build new social facilities in Chechnya, primarily hospitals, rather than make temporary repairs. "It is necessary to build modern hospitals. What we have seen is already outdated," Mr Putin said.
Mr Kadyrov appreciated Mr Putin's promises: "It was very important for us to receive such support. Among other things, it will encourage the flow of private investment into the recovery and development of the socio-economic sphere in the Chechen Republic."
During his meeting with the Dagestan leader Mukhu Aliyev, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin touched on crime, one of the most sensitive subjects for the republic. "The activities of criminals and terrorists are well known. I'm convinced that despite the difficulties, law-enforcement bodies will deal with them once and for all," Mr Putin said.
The republic's civilian life is calmer despite the economic crisis. In the first two months of this year, the rates of economic growth in Dagestan were below last year's, but the situation is not critical. "Before the end of this year, industry, transportation, and trade will drop, but I think on the whole we'll have positive dynamics," Mr Aliyev told the Prime Minister. "During the past three years, we have had no budget-related debt - neither on salaries, nor on social payments," he emphasized. As of January 1, 2008, the Dagestan economy's debt was 18 million roubles, whereas at the beginning of this year, it dropped to a mere 4.5 million roubles, out of which more than half is due from only two companies."
Moscow issue
Irina Omelchenko