Vladimir Putin in Petrozavodsk
 The acting president of Russia Vladimir Putin at the sitting of the Coordination Council of the Association "North-West" started his speech congratulating the Head of the Government Sergey Katanandov and the citizens of Karelia with the growth of industrial output by 22 % for the past year 1999, which is higher than the average indices in Russia. Practically nothing else was mentioned about other achievements.
Participants of the Association- the heads of 8 regions and of 2 republics of the North-West, Saint-Petersburg and Leningradsky region got together for a regular sitting to discuss the most burning problems of this region of Russia.
First of all, to discuss the strategy of the development of automobile roads construction in the North-West. The fact that 17 thousand populated areas out of 28 thousands do not have concrete covered roads speaks for itself. The second question to discuss was conditions and perspectives for the development of breeding for fur industry in the North -West. The deputy Head of the Government of the Russian Federation Boris Zhitnev spoke about that problem, focusing on the fact that an industry of breeding minks for fur has never been a responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture, otherwise it is impossible to explain why this industry was completely destroyed. (In Leningradskay area by 89%, in Karelia by 95%, in Archangelskay area by almost 100%) The third question to discuss - the scheme of the development for the united power system in the North-West. Discussion of this question lasted for about an hour and a half in the presence of the acting President of Russia Vladimir Putin. Concrete decisions were made to help solving of these problems, and all of them were supported by the heads of the North-West regions - which means that solving of these problems have became a State concern. A packet of papers concerning the problem of the united power system development (with amendments made during the sitting) will be sent to the Government of Russia and discussed in details. The Head of the Government of Russia focused on the value of the North-West region for the country, it's human and economic resources and the importance to support local industry, to develop power engineering and to revive traditional trades of the area. "We have got to have a positive, state approach" - said Vladimir Putin.
On behalf of all the timber processing enterprises in Karelia the Head of the Government in Karelia Sergey Katandov asked the Head of the Russian Government to review high custom taxes on timber exported abroad. Vladimir Putin stressed the fact that the Government is taking measures and sometimes even unpopular measures to change mentality of "raw material appendage" so characteristic to our timber processing industry. That branch of economy will be rendered assistance only when the revenue received from raw material export will be used to support domestic timber processing industry, and that will require development of additional economic measures Participants of the summit unanimously adopted the text of the Document where Vladimir Putin was nominated as a candidate for a position of a President Russia. Vladimir Putin thanked everybody for their support. The Head of the Republic Sergey Katandov expressed his assurance that the residents of Karlia will give their votes for Vladimir Putin. Sergey Katanandov said "The Prime Minister of Russia enjoys confidence in our Republic. Relationships between state government bodies have become more pragmatic and more effective. The efforts of the Prime Minister to strengthen the State find strong support among various strata of society.
Vladimir Putin visited one of the leading enterprises of the City "Petrozavodskmash" and a Republican Hospital for Children and brought to the hospital an expensive medical equipment.
Natalia Volkova
Information of the Press-service of the Head of the Government RK
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