Prime Minister Vladimir Putin spoke at a meeting on preparations for the APEC summit
Vladimir Putin's opening remarks:
Good morning,
You know, I visited the Far Eastern State University earlier this morning, welcoming students back after the summer vacation. We talked a little over tea after that. One of the first questions they asked me was whether or not we really planned to hold the next APEC summit in Vladivostok, that is, if Russia hosts it in 2012.
So I'd like to emphasise once again that all the decisions have already been made: the APEC summit will be held in 2012 in Vladivostok.
So let us have an "on-site" discussion here today to take care of all problems that might arise during the preparations for that important event.
Let me also remind you that Russia's bid for the APEC presidency in 2012 has been unanimously supported by the participants of that international forum. We are looking at the upcoming summit as a real opportunity for expanding cooperation with our partners in the Asia-Pacific Region. We are willing to offer our foreign colleagues a positive agenda for the meeting, aimed at the development of economic partnership.
We should certainly tackle some of the most pressing problems facing Russia's Far East as part of the preparation for the summit. It is in fact a top priority for us. Although we are certainly honoured to host such an important international event, it is even more important to use this chance to give more attention to the development of Russia's far-eastern regions, to tap administrative and financial resources to turn the capital of the Primorye Territory into a major influential centre for economic and cultural cooperation. This will include making it attractive and comfortable to live in, to do business in, and to develop high-tech businesses, research and education.
The Government plans to give its full attention to this goal.
A special development programme for Vladivostok, worth 284 billion roubles ($11.5 billion), was approved in 2007. The bulk of the funds, 202 billion roubles, will come from the federal budget.
The programme will primarily involve modernising the region's infrastructure, including transport, energy and utilities. It will also include building the Far Eastern Federal State University and other important facilities.
There are plans to vastly improve the condition of Vladivostok's streets and roads, to modernise the local airport, to rebuild and redecorate the city's "marine facade", to build a link between the city and Russky Island, a promising area for urban development. Overall, a total of 35 major construction and modernisation projects will be implemented.
I'd like to add that the most complicated engineering projects, such as bridges across the Bosfor Vostochny Strait and Zolotoi Rog Bay, should begin right away. I've had reports that they have already started, but haven't seen any work personally. Anyway, they should have at least started preparatory works by now.
The projects on Russky Island will require the most efforts. These will include building academic premises and a campus for the Far Eastern Federal State University, which will host the APEC summit in 2012. After the summit the facilities will be used for their proper purpose.
I have met with the university's rector, who was right to say that the facilities should be designed with their future purpose in mind. They should be made comfortable to be used as teaching premises, and residential accommodation for students and faculty.
We should ensure that the facilities require only minor alterations later, after the APEC summit. We also agreed that we should use "gold and diamonds" as sparingly as possible. The new premises should be modest and functional, modern and dignified. Palaces and castles will look out of style here. Alright, I've seen they are planning to build a separate house for each head of state. Houses are fine, but again, they should make everything functional, use modern building materials and technologies, all without any excesses.
All major construction works have to be completed by 2011. It should be done on schedule, without hastily finishing the buildings in the last few months.
Let me emphasise here that all the key decisions on the preparations for the summit have been made, and sufficient allocations approved. What should be done now is embark on the construction projects without delay. I am asking everyone to abide by the schedule approved to the letter.
I would also like to draw your attention to the following issues.
First, the Defence Ministry bases and facilities should be removed from Russky Island as planned, and as soon as possible. After that, development projects should be drawn up and approved for the areas cleared. If this is done on time, we can proceed to build the university as early as next year.
Second, we need to work out a financing scheme for the Vladivostok airport modernisation project, including the construction of an international terminal. As far as I know, the contractor has already been selected, and the work should be commenced as soon as possible.
All the above is also true of the development of the energy sector. All the problems hampering reliable gas and electricity supplies for the newly-built facilities need to be removed in advance. The new facilities should not suffer from a shortage of energy.
I expect to hear exhaustive reports on all these issues here today.
Third. Environmental issues should be given our undivided attention.
Just like with the Olympic facilities, we should do our utmost to prevent the construction from damaging the natural environment. I expect the modernisation of the city utilities system to help resolve the environmental issues accumulated over the years, such as waste disposal and land reclamation.
Local residents are aware of the outrageous condition of the offshore area. This situation is entirely unacceptable. If we put it in order now, nature will recuperate with time. But we need to help now.
Colleagues,
A timely and effective implementation of the plans we have made will require well-coordinated and synchronised efforts from all authorities at all levels, businesses, and research and educational institutions.
To ensure this kind of cooperation and also prompt resolution of any problems that might arise, we have decided to set up an organising committee for the preparation for the APEC summit, led by First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov. He will also chair a state commission on social and economic development of Russia's Far East and the Baikal area.
I expect him to use the combination of two posts to adjust the summit preparation plans to regional development interests.
Now let us proceed to discussion.
I am now giving the floor to Dmitry Kozak, the minister for regional development.
