Transcript:
President Vladimir Putin meets with the Government
President Vladimir Putin meets with the Government
President Vladimir Putin meets with the Government
President Vladimir Putin meets with the Government
Vladimir Putin: Mr Medvedev, colleagues and friends, the New Year is approaching. It may seem to be the right time to sum up results. However, this is not what we are going to do at today’s meeting, so that people do not get the impression that summing up results means more to us than actually doing something.
I’m fully aware that you discuss this issue all the time and even raised it at today’s Government meeting. Nevertheless, I would like to make a few brief remarks on how our work is organised. What I wanted to say is that the progress that we are making is evident despite the rather challenging environment, which is influenced by a number of factors, not just oil prices, and is rather unfavourable for us.
Vladimir Putin: “What I wanted to say is that the progress that we are making is evident despite the rather challenging environment, which is influenced by a number of factors, not just oil prices, and is rather unfavourable for us.”
That said, since the Soviet times, many believed that the country would reach this propitious moment at a certain point. What I mean is that, as most of you remember, people were talking about “the disaster that struck the country when abundant reserves of oil became available” in the 1960s and 1970s, which undermined economic growth and removed incentives to promote innovation and pursue other internal development opportunities.
We have now fully realised that oil will not suffice and we have to focus on these internal development opportunities. Inefficient spending should be reduced; we have to find ways to improve the business climate and infrastructure. Since the chairperson of the Central Bank is here I would like to note that we have to explore ways and means to cut borrowing costs offered by private banks to economic players, and there are many other issues that should be addressed. We have to ensure that the government is open to society and the business community. To be honest, establishing the Open Government project is not enough. The Government as a whole should adopt this mindset.
Vladimir Putin: “I believe that the Government has yet to unlock its potential. I would also like to note that the complex mechanism of Government operations is becoming increasingly efficient, mobilised and capable.”
In my opinion, we are getting there. As I have already said, I view the results as satisfactory. There is no doubt that they could be even better. Make no mistake: I believe that the Government has yet to unlock its potential. I would also like to note that the complex mechanism of Government operations is becoming increasingly efficient, mobilised and capable.
I really hope that all these recent positive developments will translate into concrete acts and that you will deliver on all the objectives that we have been discussing with you extensively and seriously in recent months.
Thank you for your joint efforts and Happy New Year!
Dmitry Medvedev: Thank you very much, Mr Putin.
First of all, we would like to thank you for coming here to meet with the Government ahead of the New Year Holidays, and more importantly for the continued focus on the Government’s work. The Government needs this constant attention, since the President is the Head of State and is responsible for taking all key decisions. What’s more, the Government has been actively involved in implementing the President’s instructions, from well-known executive orders that were enacted last year to the recent address to the Federal Assembly, as well as the latest meeting of the State Council.
These are all landmark events for our country, but even if we do not view these initiatives from this global perspective, for the Government this translates into an action plan, a daily focus on priorities.
Dmitry Medvedev: “The Government is like a flywheel, a machine that never stops, and is not entitled to any breaks or leaves. During today’s meeting we discussed 30 items, which means that the Government continues to carry out its standard set of functions. However, its primary focus is to stick to the priorities.”
Our meeting today was not only about summing up results. As you have said on a number of occasions, the Government is like a flywheel, a machine that never stops, and is not entitled to any breaks or leaves. During today’s meeting we discussed 30 items, which means that the Government continues to carry out its standard set of functions. However, its primary focus is to stick to the priorities. I would like to reiterate that it is the President who sets the main guidelines.
We would like to thank you once again for everything that was done over this year and for your feedback. Every government has its problems when it comes to forming and running the cabinet. Nevertheless, your feedback paves the way for further efforts to deliver on the key objectives that our country is facing. Many Russians are eager to see your instructions implemented. After all, all governments work for their country and their people.
On behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation, I would like to wish you a Happy New Year and good health and every success in this all but easy task of serving as President. We hope that next year will turn out to be a little better for our country, taking into account what you said in your opening remarks.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you. We will shortly have the opportunity to engage in an informal conversation.
I just wanted to share this well-known secret to raise our spirits as the New Year draws nearer. As you know, a new nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine has been commissioned recently and new-generation silo-based missile systems are about to be merged into the air defence alert system. These are major developments for our country and its defence capabilities.
This is also the result of our joint efforts, which would not have been achieved without proper funding and properly functioning economy, efforts to ensure social services and develop the defence industry.
All these initiatives would have been impossible if all the elements of state governance, including the Government, the Presidential Executive Office and all defence and law enforcement agencies, did not function like a well-oiled machine.
This is just to say that we are making progress on all fronts.
Happy New Year!
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