Transcript:
Vladimir Putin (looking at the medallion presented to him): Is this Kholmogory?
Remark: Yes, Kholmogory, the village Lomonosov was born.
Vladimir Putin: Is there anything there?
Answer: Yes.
Vladimir Putin: Anything left?
Answer: Yes, there is.
Vladimir Putin: What's there?
Answer: The Dmitry Solunsky Church. But it needs money for renovation.
Vladimir Putin: How much? You need to calculate.
Remark: All right, no problem.
Remark: Thank you for Kenozero national park. It is on the list of 12 areas…
Vladimir Putin: Excellent.
Remark: Thank you for your support.
Vladimir Putin: Is it planned to do anything there?
Remark: Come and see for yourself.
Remark: The chairman of the board and the first vice president of the foundation is here…
He was born here. And of course, he initiated the establishment of the Lomonosov Foundation. It’s been 19 years already.
Vladimir Putin: 19 years?
Remark: It’ll be 20 years in December 2012. This is a public interregional organisation that conducts a great deal of educational activities. The programme entitled “Lomonosov’s Homeland” is its most important programme.
Vladimir Putin: We have just discussed the need to …
Question: Extend it?
Vladimir Putin: No, to build a memorial complex in Kholmogory. Is there anything left to restore there?
Answer: It’s not just a matter of renovation. We did a lot of work there. I would like to say that the governor did a great deal for this programme.
Vladimir Putin: It's impossible to do anything without the governor.
Remark: He has done a lot in person over the past two years.
Ilya Mikhalchuk(governor): Let’s change the subject.
Vladimir Putin: Pull up a chair (addressing Ilya Mikhalchuk). Otherwise you'll complain later on that they didn't offer you a pie.
Remark: They are gathering bone carvers from across Russia, not only in the Arkhangelsk Region, in his hometown. They have a school there.
Vladimir Putin: For training bone carvers?
Answer: Yes, and a new one will be built in compliance with the programme as well. A new bone-carving factory and a new school. The old building is no good any longer.
Remark: Bone carving has existed in this area for 400 years. We almost lost it three years ago.
Vladimir Putin: Let’s talk more specifically and focus our conversation on concrete matters, so that we're not just having a pleasant celebratory chat. You said there is a need to build a memorial complex there. What do you need specifically? What needs to be done?
Answer: Mr Putin, the issue has to do with two large cathedrals, one in Kholmogory and one in Lomonosovo. They fall under the financial responsibility of the Ministry of Culture… but there’s not enough money.
Vladimir Putin: Are they included in the programme?
Answer: They are, but they are providing the tiniest amount of money.
Vladimir Putin: What programme?
Answer: Culture of Russia
Remark: The programme is called Legacy of the North. No, Culture of Russia, it's a sub-programme, the one that is being implemented through the Patriarch’s office.
Vladimir Putin: I see. What’s there?
Remark: There are two large cathedrals…
Vladimir Putin: No, I mean how much money is being provided by the programme?
Answer: One is about 500 million…
Vladimir Putin: It’s not a large cathedral.
Remark: It’s huge. The second needs about 150 million roubles.
Vladimir Putin: All right. Two cathedrals. What else?
Remark: We are rebuilding the bone carving factory ourselves. Certainly,…
Vladimir Putin: There’s a factory and a school at the factory?
Answer: We consider it a studio with a small hotel and a conference room with 100 seats. We are set to finish the work on it this year using funds from the regional budget.
Vladimir Putin: Good, but this is manufacturing. What will be included in the memorial complex? Two cathedrals? What else?
Answer: There’s also a museum there.
Remark: We need to take care of the museum as well.
Vladimir Putin: Is it a large museum?
Answer: No, it’s a small, wooden structure, it belongs to the region.
Vladimir Putin: What kind of work does it need?
Answer: It would be good if we could move an old mill closer. It’s about 10-15 km away…
Vladimir Putin: Closer to what?
Answer: To the Lomonosov museum. It would also be nice to make an agreement with the Kunstkamera, to have some of its exhibits…
Vladimir Putin: The one in St Petersburg?
Answer: To bring some of its exhibits here from St Petersburg for three or five years. A kind of travelling…
Vladimir Putin: Exhibition?
Answer: Yes. Three to five years would provide us with a very good impetus, because we don’t have many exhibits that are historically related to him. He spent most of his life in Moscow and St Petersburg.
Remark: We need new documents, modern display arrangements and new museum technologies.
Vladimir Putin: I don’t think this will be very expensive. The museum is not large, if I understand correctly.
Remark: No, it won't be expensive.
Ilya Mikhalchuk: We need to look at this issue comprehensively, Mr Putin. We will need to crunch the numbers, think it over, draw up a plan, and only then can we submit a specific programme to the Government of the Russian Federation.
Vladimir Putin: Go ahead and do so.
Ilya Mikhalchuk: Good.
Vladimir Putin: How much time do you need to come up with such a programme? Tentatively?
Ilya Mikhalchuk: One month.
Vladimir Putin: One month?
Remark: We have already done a lot.
Ilya Mikhalchuk: Yes. Perhaps we can do it faster. But one month is a safe bet.
Vladimir Putin: Good. So, sometime in…
Ilya Mikhalchuk: December.
Vladimir Putin: Right.
Ilya Mikhalchuk: We will be ready by December 1.
Vladimir Putin: That’s less than a month. Let’s say the middle of December.
Remark: One more thing, Mr Putin. It's unfortunate that there is no Lomonosov museum in Russia. There used to be one in St Petersburg and a separate museum at the Russian Academy of Science. It closed down a few years ago, and they opened a department in the Kunstkamera.
Vladimir Putin: It's located right in the building of the Kunstkamera?
Answer: Yes.
Vladimir Putin: You mean there used to be a separate Lomonosov museum in the Kunstkamera?
Answer: Yes, there was a Lomonosov museum at the Russian Academy of Sciences. It’s no longer there, and instead there’s a department in the Kunstkamera. Do you remember the globe? That’s where it was. There were three floors.
Vladimir Putin: I can’t even remember that there was a separate Lomonosov museum.
Remark: Yes, there was one.
Vladimir Putin: Why was it shut down?
Remark: Try the pie, Mr Putin.
Remark: It’s fen berry.
Vladimir Putin: And why are you not eating?
Remark: We’ve already had tea three times. We are very happy that you've come.
Remark: These are halibut pies.
Remark: These are good pies with real halibut.
Remark: You can take them with you on the plane.
Remark: We can wrap this pie up for you.
Vladimir Putin: I’ve already had it.
Remark: What about fish pies?
Vladimir Putin: Sure.
Remark: Mr Putin, we’ll send them to you, okay?
Question: Mr Putin, using the presence of our Pomorye elite, I’d like to ask you to… (we touched on this issue during your previous visit) After all, the history of our territory in inseparably linked with Solovki.
Vladimir Putin: Yes, I remember you said this.
Remark: If you had taken their Trusteeship Council under your patronage they wouldn’t have disintegrated… Just like Valaam has recovered thanks to you.
Vladimir Putin: We’ll talk about Solovki – we recently discussed this issue with the patriarch. But I’d like to return to Lomonosov. Solovki is very important. I fully agree. We would like to hear your proposals, a programme, at least a tentative one. If certain funds have already been allocated to a relevant programme by the Ministry of Culture, we’ll only adjust it a bit and that will do it. I understand we’ll have to add something.
Remark: It is not big money, but it is very important.
Remark: The financial crisis intervened but we are very grateful to the co-chairman of the National Anniversary Organising Committee. I don’t think I’m saying anything inappropriate, but Alexei Kudrin was the head of this and did a lot both for Arkhangelsk and for the programme “Lomonosov’s Homeland.” We are very grateful to him as well. We are northern people and are not used to flattering someone.
Vladimir Putin: Yes, he repeatedly discussed this topic with me and was very emotional about it.
Remark: Indeed. Thank you very much for signing the decree on the 300th anniversary and the programme that we have carried out together.
Vladimir Putin: How long was the restoration period? Four or five years?
Answer: Four years. On October 10 we opened this monument of architecture of the 19th century. Just look how beautiful it is! We love it.
Vladimir Putin: Yes, it looks great – just like a palace.
Remark: This was a municipal building but we have given it to…
Remark: The city has transferred it to regional ownership. Well-done! The deputies have also done a good job.
Remark: The government has allocated money for the restoration and we have contributed some as well.
Remark: Mr Putin, Tatyana Butorina (vice president of the Lomonosov Fund) is our leading expert on Lomonosov studies. She is promoting the idea of creating an institute of Lomonosov studies.
Remark: This year the Northern (Arctic) Federal University has received the name of Lomonosov. In the autumn of the past year we established a research centre – Lomonosv Institute – that Butorina headed. Now it is doing research work and education… Lomonosov lessons are taught at school; we have textbooks on the subject… She has a whole school…
Remark: We have summed up the results of the Lomonosov award contest. We hold it every year and have five awards. Two are instituted by the municipal office and three by the governor. One of these awards is designed for young scholars and scientists. Butorina has won it. Let’s congratulate her with this award.
Tatyana Butorina: May I say a word about the Lomonosov Institute since you have mentioned my name? I’m convinced that Lomonosov studies are a viable research direction, but maybe you are not very interested in this…
Vladimir Putin: Why do you think so?
Tatyana Butorina: Well, our spheres are not your immediate concern. Yet, I’d like to say that this is a very important area in Russian science in general. Lomonosov studies must be conducted primarily in his homeland – just the same as Pushkin studies or Tolstoy studies in Yasnaya Polyana. We must think it over. Probably we, Ilya Mikhalchyuk and Yelena Kudryashova (rector of Lomonosov Northern (Arctic) Federal University) will introduce a section on the Lomonosov Institute into this programme. We have a Lomonosov grammar school. It is being restored now. It was built in 1811, the year of Mikhail Lomonosov’s hundredth birthday. We had to spend huge funds to strengthen the building’s foundation but, thank God the work is continuing and we hope that the building will be restored.
Vladimir Putin: Is this a municipal grammar school?
Answer: This is a school for gifted children.
Remark: This is a unique building.
Vladimir Putin: Have you understood everything?
Ivan Mikhalchyuk: We have transferred it into federal property and the funds have already been allocated. It will be opened in March in the fourth quarter, if not by the New Year.
Remark: It is part of our university.
Remark: This is a unique school for gifted children. Scientists and scholars, young and old, all those who deal with creative work and Lomonosov’s legacy want to unite around us. We need grants, some financial resources for this purpose because researchers should also have at least some basic support.
Vladimir Putin: When drafting proposals on the centre’s development, please describe in detail your proposals. We must know how you are planning to organise this and how much it will cost approximately. Everything must be put on paper and be calculated. I think this is not only possible but necessary and easy to do.
Remark: Lomonosov is not simply a name. It should become Russia’s star. Maybe you will say I’m from the same area as Lomonosov (I was born in the Kholmogory District)… Maybe, I will be accused of localism but this would be unfair.
Tatyana Butorina: Mr Putin, may I finish the topic that we have repeatedly discussed at meetings of the federal organisational committee and was supported by all of its members. China is establishing Confucius centres all over the world. In effect, such centres promote the culture, language and even ideology of a state. I propose establishing Lomonosov centres all over the world.
Vladimir Putin: We should be clear on how they would differ from the Pushkin Institute.
Tatyana Butorina: They can deal with…Pushkin is more associated with the language and literature whereas Lomonosov is an encyclopedist. He is also associated with the Russian language. We always forget that Pushkin spoke Lomonosov’s language. Lomonosov was a reformer of the language and Pushkin altered his version later on. In principle for us Lomonosov embodies both science and culture…
Vladimir Putin: We won’t start a debate about this now. I think that Pushkin scholars have their own opinion on this.
Remark: Pushkin said Lomonosov was our first university…
Vladimir Putin: Yes, this is true. Before coming here I read some books, including Pushkin – what he wrote about Lomonosov. This is, of course... In fact, this is what he said.
Tatyana Butorina: May I add something, Mr Putin? Whenever I speak or answer questions about Lomonosov, I say: “Please, read at least one work by him.” I once described his work “On the preservation and reproduction of the Russian people” to our deputies. He describes 13 methods of reaching this goal.
Vladimir Putin: He was an expert on this issue.
Tatyana Butorina: I think you’d be surprised if you read this work…
Remark: This is an amazing article.
Tatyana Butorina: …you will be surprised at his expectation-driven mentality, his strategy. He starts with the family. The family is the foundation of the state. He described in detail how many years a husband must be older than his wife and so on. He had a very interesting approach to this issue.
Vladimir Putin: A thorough approach.
Remark: Yes. The age difference between a husband and wife must be three years.
Remark: The grammar school must admit children from rural areas.
Vladimir Putin: Yes.
Remark: …because they are now the least protected category…
Vladimir Putin: Zhores Alfyorov has established a similar school in St. Petersburg. This was a remarkable educational establishment, whose students could pass from high school straight to university.
Remark: Our Kenozerye national park arranges Lomonosov Readings for young people.
Remark: He [Alfyorov] has been here. He has received an honorary doctorate from our university.
Pavel Balakshin: Mr Putin, since we've arrived on the subject of children, I would like to ask you… Our Vodnik team, which involves thousands of children, has won national championships ten times already. But we have no covered stadium. It would be great if we could provide our stadium with a roof.
Vladimir Putin: We discussed this with the governor earlier today.
Pavel Balakshin: The entire Arkhangelsk Region would very much appreciate it if you would allow us to do that.
Remark: We’d declare you an honorary citizen of Arkhangelsk and an honorary member of the Lomonosov Fund.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much. We’ll see what can be done about the stadium, I promise.
Pavel Balakshin: I’ve got some experience in dealing with such matters, you know. I have served as governor and mayor in the past.
Remark: Mr Balakshin was our governor during the harsh years of the 1990s.
Vladimir Putin: The [current] governor handed me a letter concerning this earlier today.
Pavel Balakshin: Great. Thank you very much.
Vladimir Putin: So your work is well synchronised, it seems.
Remark: Mr Putin, this medallion picturing the image of Lomonosov is for you – an example of our traditional Kholmogory carved walrus ivory.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you. Thank you very much. There was something you wanted to say.
Remark: Mr Putin, may I say a few words as a young scientist? Here in Arkhangelsk, we have the Institute of Environmental Problems of the North…
Vladimir Putin: Environmental problems of the North?
Remark: Yes, the Institute of Environmental Problems of the North, in the [Russian] Academy of Sciences’ Urals branch. We do research in subpolar regions and in Franz Josef Land, and we cooperate with the Russian Arctic national park.
The problem is, we are based out of two very old buildings, both of which are historical monuments. And we desperately need newer premises to work from. Our institute is a rather large organisation and it will not be able to advance unless it has access to a modern facility.
Vladimir Putin: Is [your institute] part of the Russian Agricultural Academy?
Remark: Of the Russian Academy of Sciences, rather.
Vladimir Putin: Oh, [you’re part] of the head academy!
Remark: We belong to its Urals branch.
Vladimir Putin: We’ll see what can be done to help you, all right? Wait a moment, are you asking for a new building to be constructed for you?
Remark: Yes, we’ve prepared a petition and the matter has already passed through a session of the Economic Development Ministry. We have not been included in this year’s plan, though, so we’d really appreciate your help…
Vladimir Putin: Well, this is a budgetary problem. Okay, we’ll see. And where is your petition?
Remark: At our previous meeting, you endorsed our letter on the construction of a new building, which had been approved earlier by the [Academy of Sciences’] Urals branch.
Vladimir Putin: Let’s come back to this later, shall we?
Remark: We even have a constriction design ready.
Vladimir Putin: You do?
Remark: Yes.
Vladimir Putin: What are the estimated construction costs?
Remark: I would like to tell you precisely.
Vladimir Putin: Please do.
Remark: Around 600 million. It will be complete with a laboratory.
Vladimir Putin: That's a substantial amount. About the same as the entire Lomonosov Centre…
Remark: Excuse me, 60 million, not 600.
Vladimir Putin: Oh, 60 million?
Remark: That’s an unrealistic figure.
Vladimir Putin: So it’s 60 million, then?
Remark: Somewhere around 350 million.
Vladimir Putin: Three hundred and fifty, you say? That sounds more likely. We have had to deal with the problem of state defence contracts recently. Those all ran in the trillions.
Remark: We own a land plot where we are permitted to build, and there’s a construction design ready, but we desperately need your support.
Ilya Mikhalchuk: Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Putin has already assigned the relevant tasks [for this project to move forward]. I’m simply renewing the petition.
In the presence of some of my fellow countrymen, I’d like to thank you for Sevmash, Mr Putin.
Vladimir Putin: Don’t mention it.
Ilya Mikhalchuk: Thanks to your help, we’ll have guaranteed contracts from the entire defence sector, which is a major taxpayer in our region.
Remark: Thank you.
Vladimir Putin: I mentioned this off the record already, and I can say this to you as the governor. We’ve allocated a huge amount of money for all measures related to state defence contracts. The total amount is 20 trillion roubles. And we need to make sure that all these expenditures are documented. This isn't a matter of channelling treasury funds somewhere; this is about getting various products, such as combat systems, submarines, missiles, planes, tanks, surface ships and so forth. This means they will have to provide all the documents confirming their expenditures, including those under the contracts signed today. We laid out some pre-calculated prices there, but those prices will have to be adjusted along the way as new invoices come in. Do you know what kind of figures we are operating with? Twenty trillion for state defence contracts through the year 2020, plus 3 trillion for providing the military industrial complex and the manufacturers with new equipment. And they tend to have very modest needs, as we can see.
Ilya Mikhalchuk: As for us, we need…
Vladimir Putin: Probably around 100 million, 200 million at most?
Ilya Mikhalchuk: Under the leadership of our presidential envoy and within our own jurisdiction, we’ll try to…
Vladimir Putin: Let’s get these two churches renovated. Let’s upgrade your memorial museum…
Remark: The Lomonosov Institute, you mean?
Vladimir Putin: Yes, we should include the Lomonosov Institute in our list.
Remark: Is it about grants?
Vladimir Putin: Yes, it has to do with organisational work, in fact. We should check. I don’t think it will cost us a lot. We’ll get all this done, but first we will need to calculate our expenditures properly. We’ll see; we’ll get back to your project. But this is about major construction, you see. I’ll be honest with you. Why did we reduce spending in your area? Facing the economic crisis, we decided to re-direct treasury money into anti-crisis programmes, and we attempted to complete all of the construction projects that were already launched, and we put off any new projects. This is why your project must have been put on hold. But we’ll see if we can revive it now, all right?
Remark: One more thing, Mr Putin. You are well acquainted with Russia’s nature reserves. Indeed, our natural parks and sanctuaries are truly unique places. I attended a Cabinet meeting at which you and [Igor] Trutnev discussed a new strategy for nurturing these areas. The nation’s entire network of sanctuaries hopes that you maintain a personal commitment to fostering and developing them, because national parks have an important socio-economic dimension. They could be instrumental in reviving rural communities, raising environmental awareness, promoting tourism and creating new jobs.
Vladimir Putin: Your park has been included in our new resolution, hasn’t it?
Remark: Yes, it has.
Remark: And Kimzhi?
Remark: Kimzhi is a different story.
Vladimir Putin: Does this have to do with national park status?
Remark: There aren’t just two national parks in Russia. There are a lot more. And the people who work there serve an invaluable function, because thanks to them, many rural communities have been saved. There are villages whose survival depends entirely on the surrounding sanctuaries. Our park is the only one in Russia that has looked after local monuments. We have about a hundred monuments of wooden and stone architecture to maintain.
Vladimir Putin: Has your reserve been granted national park status?
Remark: Yes, we’ve been operating as a national park right from the start. Around 37 million in federal allocations has been earmarked for it under the Culture of Russia’s North programme. But wooden architecture is one of this country’s most valuable contributions to world art. And the examples we have in the Arkhangelsk Region are completely unique. So please help.
Vladimir Putin: And what about Kimzhi?
Remark: Kimzhi is being supported already. And over here, we have some truly unique monuments.
Remark: Kimzhi is a single compound, while here, in our park…
Vladimir Putin: Your monuments are scattered around, right?
Remark: Yes, exactly.
Remark: This year we’ve received just 2 million roubles for the renovation of our monuments of wooden architecture. Every year we have a new contractor coming in. And then, there’s the infamous Law 94, which makes things so difficult for all the restorers and museum workers.
Vladimir Putin: We’re going to amend it.
Remark: That’s a good idea. Anyway, 37 million roubles for the entire programme just isn’t enough, Mr Putin. Wooden architecture cannot wait too long to be rescued. It’s too fragile. So please help us save the monuments and the nature reserves.
Vladimir Putin: Alright. What is the approximate cost of your programme?
Reply: We are currently restoring a church in Kenozero’s Kitezh. It’s in the centre of Kenozero National Park and there is no easy access to it, but it is a masterpiece of Russian wooden architecture. Restoration costs 37 million roubles. As you see, two million roubles…
Vladimir Putin: So, restoration costs 37 million roubles?
Reply: This is what is required for one monument, yes. But the federal budget allotted 37 million for every site in Russia’s North this year.
Vladimir Putin: I understand, but how about your project?
Reply: Thirty-seven million is required for one church plus 18 million is required to finish the restoration of another masterpiece. As for the other monuments of regional importance, we expect that the region…
Vladimir Putin: So, it is around 50 million: 50-52-53 million.
Reply: Yes, around 60 million.
Vladimir Putin: No, it is 53 million. But have these sites been through the procedure required by Federal Law No 94 (the Federal Law on the Placing of Contracts for Commodity Supplies, Job Execution and Services for State and Municipal Needs)? Was the contractor selected? Has the work started?
Reply: Last year we received 1.5 million roubles. We announced a tender and the contractor was selected through that tender. This year we received two million roubles. The process is the same. The contractors change and the sum increases.
Vladimir Putin: But there is a contractor.
Reply: Right.
Vladimir Putin: For both sites?
Reply: No. In fact, we received money only for one of the projects. There is no work going on at the other one. That work is suspended.
Vladimir Putin: Is it really suspended? Did you follow the required procedure for a temporary shutdown?
Reply: Of course. It can be resumed at any time.
Vladimir Putin: I see.
Reply: Thank you very much.
Question: Mr Putin, I have a question. Getting back to Severodvinsk and the Kenozero National Park…
Vladimir Putin: Wait, before we forget about this, how can we receive the document?
Ilya Mikhalchuk: I will draft it.
Vladimir Putin: When? Send it to us tomorrow and we will have a look. Send it as a follow-up to this meeting. Please do not forget.
Reply: It has been a good tea party.
Vladimir Putin: Yes, but I think it is time to go.
Yelena Kudryashova: The Lomonosov Foundation is holding Lomonosov Readings tomorrow in Severodvinsk. As organisers, we will be there too, to meet people. We are really concerned with the progress of the Severodvinsk shipbuilding programme at the Northern (Arctic) Federal University aimed at training staff for the defence industry. We offer programmes for vocational training and higher education.
Vladimir Putin: Which branch is it?
Reply: Ours.
Yelena Kudryashova: It is our branch.
Vladimir Putin: The branch of what?
Yelena Kudryashova: The Northern (Arctic) Federal University.
Vladimir Putin: It is a branch of…
Remark: The Federal University.
Yelena Kudryashova: We have not integrated the Severodvinsk branch of Korabelka (St Petersburg State Marine Technical University) but the university’s branches are three secondary vocational schools, the Severodvinsk Engineering College and the Institute of Advanced Professional Training. In July, you made an approval note in the letter saying “speed up the process” but the process is still in need of speeding up.
Vladimir Putin: You mean the integration?
Yelena Kudryashova: Yes.
Vladimir Putin: The branch of which Korabelka? The one in the Leningrad Region?
Yelena Kudryashova: Sevmashtuz, a branch of the Korabelka in St Petersburg.
Ilya Mikhalchuk: The college is nonsubsidised. Graduates are almost exclusively employed by Sevmash and the college is basically funded by the company.
Vladimir Putin: By who? Sevmash?
Ilya Mikhalchuk: Yes.
Vladimir Putin: So, what is the problem?
Yelena Kudryashova: It is not a problem. In fact, what we want is to start an ambitious pioneer project…
Vladimir Putin: This is the right thing to do. You mean you want to integrate?
Yelena Kudryashova: Yes.
Vladimir Putin: It is a good idea.
Yelena Kudryashova: We want to cooperate with the company to see better results.
Vladimir Putin: This is absolutely great. Do you need help?
Yelena Kudryashova: We need some moral support at least.
Vladimir Putin: You can count on both moral and managerial support.
Ilya Mikhalchuk: Korabelka is against giving the college over.
Vladimir Putin: Is it?
Ilya Mikhalchik: They will not give it over.
Vladimir Putin: Do they provide any funding?
Yelena Kudryashova: The fact is they don’t.
Vladimir Putin: Korabelka is supervised by the Education Ministry, isn’t it?
Ilya Mikhalchuk: It is.
Vladimir Putin: I will talk to Mr Fursenko. What are they afraid of? A breakdown?
Ilya Mikhalchuk: No, it is only because they do not want this. In fact, it is supported within the limits of self-sufficiency here.
Vladimir Putin: We will talk about this. I have not heard their side so it would not be right to make any decision before I talk to your colleagues. But in general, it seems to be a good idea to integrate educational institutions with companies. It is absolutely correct. This is a viable approach for higher education development. This is what we should do but, of course, we will consider each case individually. In this particular case, we need to speak to the minister and our colleagues from Korabelka.
Yelena Kudryashova: In fact, everyone – business leaders, the heads of our institutions, executive and legislative bodies – are willing to make this project, a very important project for the country, happen.
Vladimir Putin: We should ask the presidential envoy for help.
Yelena Kudryashova: The presidential envoy is a member of the Supervisory Board.
Vladimir Putin: Will you contribute to this? I will speak to Mr Fursenko and you talk to the Korabelka representatives.
Reply: Alright.
Pavel Balakshin: Mr Putin, I have a question that is essential for the region.
As you know, the seaport (in Arkhangelsk) was the first port in Russia. But cargo is shipped primarily to St Petersburg now, and it is gradually falling in decline. To support the port’s operation and to avoid job cutting in the region, we need the Belkomur route from Perm. This would revive the port’s normal operation, create new jobs and progress with the region’s development. This would cut 350 km off the route for the Siberian cargo.
Vladimir Putin: The minister reported to me on this. It is not cheap.
Pavel Balakshin: True.
Vladimir Putin: It will cost some 12 billion…
Pavel Balakshin: It is difficult, Mr Putin. It will have been ten years soon since the project started. The construction has only just begun.
Vladimir Putin: We need 12 billion or 15 billion or maybe even more.
Remark: Mr Putin, the concept is not complete because each of the three regions involved sees it differently. We plan to adopt a systemic approach to this project by next year. Mr Kozak has scheduled a special meeting on this issue.
Vladimir Putin: Look. We need to discuss it with the transport minister as it is a very important part of the country’s transport system. We need to discuss it, but there are actually a host of issues because this road is important for the port’s operation but there are also port operation rules, cargo transshipment costs and general arrangements. It is not only about the road. If other ports can offer better service and for lowers costs, customers will still leave. But what is happening in St Petersburg, especially in relation to the construction of new terminals, will have little impact on the port in Arkhangelsk. It may affect transshipment and result in a decrease in the amount of cargo transshipped through the Baltic states. We have released Estonia from transshipping 50,000 tonnes of oil alone.
Remark: I agree with you, Mr Putin. But let me make it clear: scrap iron and general goods are what is shipped there [to the Baltic ports]. Another specific feature of our seaport is that it is the only port in Russia that has direct access to the ocean. In case we need a ‘contingency’… The Baltic Sea is isolated and so is the Black Sea.
Vladimir Putin: First of all, I hope there will be no ‘contingency’. This is exactly why we made the decision to build new nuclear submarines. If you wish for peace, prepare for war.
Remark: This port is of great importance to us and to the entire country.
Vladimir Putin: This is the first point. The second point is there is a port in Murmansk, in the north, which also has good access to the other areas; and several ports in Russia’s Far East have access to the ocean.
Remark: But for cargo there is only one port, the one in Murmansk.
Vladimir Putin: Right. Wait. Why? There have been operations via Murmansk.
Remark: But the railway routes are longer.
Remark: The seaport in Arkhangelsk was the country’s first.
Vladimir Putin: But it is valuable not because it was the first port but because it operates well and must perform an important task for the transport industry. I am aware of all this.