Eighth Presidential Message

Vladimir Putin addressed the Federal Assembly

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation at 12:00 on Thursday in the Marble Hall of the Kremlin. His speech was postponed one day due to national mourning for Boris Yeltsin.

In addition to deputies and senators, gathered in the Marble Hall of the Moscow Kremlin were members of the Russian government, chairmen of the Constitutional, Supreme and Supreme Arbitration Courts of the Russian Federation, the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, the chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the chairman of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, members of the State Council of the Russian Federation and heads of major faiths. This year, as in the past, members of the Public Chamber were invited to the announcement of the message.

Only about 300 journalists came to cover the annual message of the Russian President, since Putin only read out a report on the state of affairs in the country and development prospects and did not answer questions. The ceremony of announcing the President's Address lasted 1 hour and 14 minutes (the longest of all). The message was interrupted 46 times by applause.

Vladimir Putin began his speech with words about the first president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin. He asked members of the Federal Assembly to honor his memory with a minute of silence.

About a political will
Vladimir Putin announced that he will deliver his last address to the Federal Assembly on Thursday - the next one will be read by another head of state, but considers it premature to make a political testament. “I think that it is inappropriate for you and me to evaluate our own activities here, and it is premature for me to make political testaments.”

About success
“Now Russia has not only completely overcome the long-term decline in production, but has also entered the top ten largest economies in the world. Since 2000, real incomes of the population have more than doubled. For many years, joint work has been carried out in order to overcome the severe consequences of the transition period, in order to avoid the costs of a deep and not entirely unambiguous transformation. In fact, while unraveling the complex knots of socio-economic and political problems, we were simultaneously building a new life. As a result, the situation in the country has gradually, slowly, step by step. change for the better."

About national projects
“I am confident that the national projects, the implementation of which began a year and a half ago, are already producing results. Their goal is to invest in people, as well as improve the quality of life. Within the framework of the national project “Health” there is already a first victory, albeit small, but we saved lives thousands of people. Evidence of this is the reduction in mortality and increase in birth rates in 2006 and the beginning of this year." Putin highlighted the innovative focus of national projects, highlighting the computerization of schools, which “should be completed this year, access to the Internet, and provision of medical institutions with modern equipment.” “No more than 5-10 percent of budget costs for the relevant industry” are allocated to finance national projects. “We managed to focus budget expenditures on the final result.”

“The national project in the field of the agricultural-industrial complex has not only proven its effectiveness, but also shown enormous potential opportunities. It has become obvious to everyone that agriculture is an effective progressive sector of our economy. Recently, you and I adopted a law on agriculture, in accordance with which it is necessary develop a five-year program for the development of the industry. I ask the government not to delay the adoption of this program."

About financial policy
“Today, the nature of economic tasks requires adjustments to the functions and structure of the Stabilization Fund while unconditionally maintaining a conservative financial policy.” According to the Budget message, all oil and gas revenues are expected to be divided into three components. The first is a reserve fund for the purpose of minimizing the risks of the Russian economy in cases of a sharp drop in energy prices on international markets, to maintain macroeconomic stability and fight inflation. “This is aimed at increasing the monetary income of the population.” The second part of oil and gas revenues should be directed to the federal budget for the implementation of large-scale social programs. All remaining oil and gas revenues should go to a fund for future generations. “I believe that the funds of this fund should be aimed at improving the quality of life of people, at improving the well-being of both current and future generations.”

About non-governmental organizations
“In a democracy, it is impossible to imagine political processes without non-governmental associations, without taking into account their opinions and positions. Such dialogue is developing with the constructive participation of the Public Chamber.”

State support for non-governmental organizations this year will amount to 1 billion 250 million rubles. "If in 2007 the volume of funding for NGOs amounted to 500 million rubles, then the figure for 2008 will be 2.5 times higher. Both the number of non-governmental organizations themselves and their members are growing in the country. There are already about 8 million people. This is a real indicator formation of an active civil society in Russia."

About the pension system
“There is no objective need in Russia to raise the retirement age in the foreseeable future. If the necessary measures are taken in a timely manner, there will be no crises in the pension system. I propose to resolve the issue of the so-called northern pensions, so that pensioners - both those who have already moved and those who will only move from the regions of the Far North and territories equivalent to them - they could retain most of the previously accrued pensions. The decision should be made this year.”

About the upcoming December elections to the State Duma
“The implementation of our strategic plans directly depends on what the Russian parliament will become after December 2 of this year. The elections to the State Duma are the most important event of this year. What are their main features and their unifying significance for society? First of all, the result of the elections will be objective the level of support by the people of Russia for the course we are pursuing is determined. In fact, the issue of continuity of state policy will be decided.”

About housing problems
“The current housing problems of the population, including those related to dilapidated housing and the creation of homeowners’ associations, cannot be solved without state support. We have money to solve housing problems. Revenues from improving the administration of taxes and fees can be used to reform housing and communal services , from the privatization of state property, perhaps from the sale of the assets of the YUKOS company. I propose to allocate at least one hundred billion rubles for the program of resettlement of citizens from emergency housing. This is 20 times more than was allocated in previous years. The resettlement of the emergency fund should, of course. , a long-term program that would reverse the unfavorable trend in this area and would help millions of Russian citizens solve their housing problems. I propose to allocate at least 150 billion rubles for these purposes from the federal budget. that funds for repairs should be allocated in sufficient quantities, but still on a one-time basis, in order to launch the very mechanism for creating associations of effective owners.”

About road development
“I propose to allocate an additional 100 billion rubles for the development of the road network and the improvement of Russian cities. Annual losses from the underdevelopment of the Russian road sector amount to more than 3% of GDP, while about 2.7% of GDP is spent on state defense.” . The head of state also drew attention to the problem of a large number of road accidents, including on large federal highways, in particular the Don. “The mobility of Russians due to bad roads is on average 2 times lower than in developed countries. All this is absolutely unacceptable.”

On the moratorium on the implementation of the CFE Treaty
“I consider it advisable to declare a moratorium on Russia’s implementation of this treaty (CFE Treaty) until all NATO countries ratify it and, as Russia is actually doing unilaterally today, begin to strictly implement it. It’s time for our partners to finally not "in words, but in reality, to contribute to the reduction of armaments. I propose to discuss this problem in the Russia-NATO Council and, if there is no progress in the negotiations, consider the possibility of terminating our obligations under the CFE Treaty."

On integration with Belarus
“Russia is open to any forms and models of integration. All this depends on how ready our Belarusian friends are for this. The pace of construction of the Union State depends only on the intensity and real depth of integration processes. We are not rushing anyone, we are ready to openly discuss with our partners problems, but the course for the comprehensive development of our relations with Belarus in such vital areas as the economy, transport, social protection, healthcare and humanitarian cooperation is unshakable for us. In any case, we will do so that this meets the interests of Russia. and Belarus."

On increasing salaries for military personnel
“The most important indicator of the state of the armed forces is the system of social guarantees for military personnel and members of their families. In December 2007 and September next year, two 15 percent increases in official salaries and salaries by military rank are planned. This directly applies to military pensioners.”

On the development of the electric power industry
"One of the absolute priorities for the coming years is the electric power industry. Russia is already faced with a shortage of capacity for further growth. The largest structural reform in recent decades is coming. In fact, we are talking about the second large-scale electrification of the country. By 2020, it is necessary to increase Russia's electricity production by two thirds “For this, the state and private companies will invest about 12 trillion rubles. It is necessary to build new stations, modernize existing ones, and also expand the network structure. It is also necessary to begin the construction of large hydroelectric power stations in Siberia and the Far East.”

On the development of the nuclear industry
“In our country, over the entire Soviet period, 30 nuclear power units were built. Today we must build 26 power units, and based on the most modern technologies. To implement this project, I propose to create a special corporation uniting nuclear energy and industrial enterprises, which will work on the domestic and foreign markets, and in addition, to resolve issues of ensuring the interests of the state in the field of defense. To do this, it will be necessary to adopt a special law."

About airport development
"Over the past 15 years, the number of airports in the Russian Federation has decreased by more than three times. It is necessary to take immediate measures to improve the situation in this area. It is necessary to begin implementing a program to create transport aviation centers in the country. I also believe that only the most significant airports, the rest should be transferred to the ownership of the regions of the Russian Federation. In this regard, the Government needs to adopt special programs for the development of airports. It is also necessary to attract private investment.”

About government investments
“It must be borne in mind that the investments of regional, federal and local authorities already account for about 20% of all investments, and here it is necessary to ensure maximum efficiency in the use of these funds so that they give the proper return. It is necessary to put things in order with the conclusion of government contracts, to completely transition to such a system of contracts in which the cost of the state order would not change during the entire period of its execution."

About culture
"The development of culture is the most important social and political issue. Real art carries a serious educational charge, forms the principles of patriotism, develops moral and family values, respect for work and older generations. Not only the state, but also business can provide every possible assistance to the revival of the domestic cinema and theater, book publishing and literature. In Russia there is a system of grants for musical and theatrical creative groups. This has made it possible to stabilize the financial situation in the creative environment. It is extremely important to develop the cultures of the peoples of Russia and support folklore creativity."

About the creation of a world library
“I have already made a decision to create a presidential library, which should become an information and connecting link for the entire library network of the country. By the end of next year, this part of the project should be implemented. I propose to name this library after Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin, the first president of Russia. I consider cooperation possible with major world libraries and library centers. Our experts have already held a series of consultations with colleagues from leading libraries in various countries. In the future, we could talk about creating a world library based on digital technologies, which would serve as the basis for large international humanitarian projects aimed at preservation. culture and history of the peoples of the world."