6 Annual Big Press Conference Part 12
February 1,2007
President of Russia V.Putin
Round Hall,the Kremlin,Moscow
We have very close relations with Kazakhstan, and they are developing successfully in practically all directions. And with respect to Europe, then of course we will defend our interests. Look at what is happening in agriculture: the subsidizing of agriculture is a billion-dollar process in the European Union. As an example, look at how much Hungary received in subsidies from the EU this year. One billion and some euros, even more. When compared in percentage terms to our agriculture, these are huge sums. And they try to dump everything in Russia. They dont allow us onto these markets. And how did this happen? It started when we were exclusively consumers of imported food stuffs, in practice we did not have our own agriculture it was practically non-existent. And now we have export potential. Last year I think we sold 12 to 14 million tonnes of grain and this year the numbers are the same we have already sold 6,5. Here you calculate a year from July to July, is that right? And this year it will be 14 million. We are not very welcome on traditional markets, no one is happy about this. But we are going to patiently reach agreements. We never operate in a confrontational way. Last year we hosted the G8 in St Petersburg and for that reason saying that our international relations have seriously deteriorated seems wrong. On the contrary, it seems to me that they are becoming more pragmatic, steady and reliable.
ANDREI KOLESNIKOV (Kommersant): Vladimir Vladimirovich, after all that you have done in these years, all that you have gone through, and after what you still have to live through, thinking about all that you did during these years, do you want to return to major politics at some point?
I understand that there is probably a temptation to say at once that you are not leaving politics yet and this is, to put it mildly, the truth but it seems to me that you can afford to be sincere.
Thank you.
VLADIMIR PUTIN: I can afford to be sincere and for that reason can say that I am not going anywhere yet. That is the case.
First, calculate: the presidential elections in the Russian Federation must take place, if I remember correctly, at the beginning of March 2008. And after that there is still some time two or three months to transfer powers and other things. That means it will be sometime in May 2008. Why do you want to push me out ahead of time? (Laughter.) I will leave myself, dont hurry.
As to the responsibility for what will happen to the country then of course I feel this. This is no joke, rather it is a very important stage in our countrys life. I already said that the futures most important task will be to conserve and support the high rates of development. And I would like to emphasise that this is impossible to do without consolidating authorities on all levels and in all areas, without consolidating the legislative and executive authorities both in the centre and in the regions. Otherwise, we wont be able to ensure continuity with the rates of development that we have achieved. And of course we need all the political forces and there are many different kinds in the countrys political arena to rise above their general political ambitions and concentrate on teamwork. This means that the state organs must be formed in the appropriate way by the end of 2007 or the beginning of 2008. Of course I think about this. But whatever I think, and whatever I do and this is no empty phrase the choice is, in the final analysis, one that lies with Russian citizens.
MARINA LAPENKOVA (France presse): Vladimir Vladimirovich, please choose one question (I have two). One is quite serious, and the other is a little more cheerful.
VLADIMIR PUTIN: Do you want to me to choose now?
MARINA LAPENKOVA: Without looking, yes.
VLADIMIR PUTIN: Without hearing?
MARINA LAPENKOVA: Yes, please choose without having heard.
VLADIMIR PUTIN: How can I be sure that you ask precisely the one that I chose? Ask both, go ahead do not make me suffer.
MARINA LAPENKOVA: Both now? Thank you. Lets begin with the one that is a little more cheerful. Do you agree with Iuri Mikahilovich Luzhkovs opinion that the gay parade is the work of Satanists?
And the second question: could you please evaluate your eight-year term in office from a historical perspective. What do you the think is its biggest historical success and biggest failure? Thank you.
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В.Путин.6 Ежегодная большая пресс-конференция (Putin) Part 14by niknikolay951 views
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