https://www.site/2018-03-01/vse_samoe_glavnoe_iz_poslaniya_vladimira_putina_federalnomu_sobraniyu

Beautiful Russia of the future with awesome weapons

All the most important from the message of Vladimir Putin to the Federal Assembly

Kremlin press service

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a message to the Federal Assembly today. The speech can be equated with the election program of Putin, who, as a self-nominated candidate, participates in the presidential elections. We present the main points of the message.

Fight against poverty, demography, pensioners

It is necessary to ensure the growth of real incomes of citizens, and in six years to reduce the number of poor people (now there are about 20 million people) by at least half.

It is necessary to ensure the steady growth of the population of Russia: to introduce a program for the renewal of children's polyclinics and children's polyclinics in hospitals. It is also planned to create more than 270 thousand places in nurseries in 3 years so that young mothers can go to work. Putin promised to allocate at least 3.4 trillion rubles for demographic development measures over 6 years.

Putin called caring for the older generation "our moral duty." He urged to increase the size of pensions so that they grow faster than the rate of inflation; reduce the gap between the pension and the salary that was before retirement. The new government, according to Putin, should prepare a special program of systemic support and improve the quality of life of the older generation. In addition, Putin believes that by the end of the next decade, Russia should join the club of countries "80+", where life expectancy exceeds 80 years.

healthcare

It is necessary to ensure the availability of modern, high-quality medical care. Health spending should double. The need to ensure and restore the step-by-step accessibility of health care was mentioned. For settlements with a population of less than 100 people, mobile medical complexes are needed, for larger settlements, feldsher-midwife stations. At the same time, feldsher points, polyclinics and large medical centers "should be connected into a single digital circuit."

Separately, it was said about the creation and implementation of a special nationwide program to combat cancer. Within its framework, it is planned to modernize cancer centers, build and improve the system for early diagnosis of diseases.

Education and culture

Putin said that the school should respond to the challenges of the time and everyone should be provided with equal opportunities in education. It is necessary to move to individual learning technologies. It is also necessary to support talented teachers and build a system for training school directors. Putin said that a project of early education will be launched from the new academic year. vocational guidance schoolchildren "Ticket to the Future", 1 billion rubles are allocated for this initiative this year.

They also spoke about plans to create advanced professional retraining centers for working people.

For cultural development, it is planned to launch a program to create cultural, educational and museum complexes in the regions, which should become centers of cultural life. The first such project will be implemented in Vladivostok.

Modern living environment

The message spoke about the "transformation" of Russian cities and towns. Putin promised to "launch a large-scale program for Russia's spatial development" and double spending for this purpose.

It is also planned to double spending on the construction and improvement of roads in Russia, for which 11 trillion rubles will be allocated from various sources. Putin announced the need to minimize the death rate of people in road accidents.

It is also planned to expand the network of regional airports.

In addition, Putin spoke about the development of rural areas, the need to continue increasing the population of the Far Eastern territories, and ensuring the strengthening of Russia's interests in the Arctic.

The author of the message also dwelled on the fact that in the future it is necessary to improve environmental well-being, recultivate landfills, and improve the quality of drinking water. The opening of 24 new reserves and national parks is promised.

Technology

According to Putin, Russia is ready for a technological breakthrough, lagging behind in terms of technology is tantamount to a loss of sovereignty. “We need to ensure such creative power, such dynamics of development, so that no obstacles prevent us from moving forward,” Putin says.

The President announced the need to create a regulatory framework for robotics, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the use of unmanned vehicles. The head of state pointed to the need to introduce the "Internet of Things", noted the importance of an early transition to digital energy. Putin also noted that it is necessary to quickly provide everyone with fast access to the Internet, "to open up the possibilities of the digital world to everyone." Technological development should be based on fundamental science, Putin said.

Economy

The message stated that it was necessary "to form new tax conditions that will ensure the replenishment of budgets at all levels, but will not hold back economic growth." Economic growth rates should be higher than world ones.

It is necessary to increase the availability of loans for business, reduce interest rates, increase the competitiveness of the economy; increase labor productivity on a new technological, managerial and personnel basis; to ensure that labor productivity in basic industries grows at a rate of at least 5% per year. Putin also pointed to the need to increase investment, which should be spent on technical re-equipment and industry renewal.

It was said about the development of small and medium-sized businesses, improving the business climate, reducing the state's share in the economy. Putin pointed out that individual entrepreneurs and the self-employed should be exempt from tax reporting altogether, making tax payment a simple automatic transaction for them.

Defense

Separately, Putin dwelled on the defense capability of Russia. Emphasizing that “we are not going to attack anyone,” he devoted a significant part of his speech to new Russian military developments. In particular, it was announced that the active phase of testing a new missile system with the Sarmat heavy missile had begun. It will replace the Soviet Voevoda complex. It was told about a small-sized nuclear power plant, which is installed in a small cruise missile. It turns out a small low-flying missile with a nuclear warhead.

Putin also talked about unmanned underwater vehicles that move at great depths at high speed and are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

It was told about the "Dagger" system - a complex of hypersonic weapons (the missile flies at a speed exceeding the speed of sound by 10 times, and at the same time maneuvers).

It was even said that laser systems were being put into service, but Putin did not talk about the details.

On March 1, 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a message to the Federal Assembly. TASS recalls what kind of procedure this is and talks about messages from past years.

Why is the president addressing the message

Once a year, the President of Russia publicly addresses both chambers of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. The head of state evaluates the state of affairs in the country and determines the main directions of domestic and foreign policy. This format of appeal is provided for by paragraph "e" of Article 84 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

The president also informs parliamentarians about the most important decisions that he has made in accordance with his powers.

How the text is prepared

What the president will talk about is not disclosed in advance. The only exception was 2010, when Dmitry Medvedev published the main provisions of his future speech in the article "Forward Russia!" for broad discussion.

The text of the message is being prepared for several months. Until 2014, employees of the presidential administration and members of the government, employees of the apparatus of the Cabinet of Ministers were involved in this work. Since 2015, the preparation of the appeal has been completely transferred to the presidential administration.

Since 2005, the president has been meeting with parliamentary leaders in advance to discuss domestic and foreign policy. Since 2006, heads of executive authorities and business representatives have been participating in such meetings.

What should the President say?

In 1994-1999, the speeches of the head of state were mainly devoted to several specific topics indicated in the title. Later, the appeal began to cover a wider range of issues, including all areas of the country's development, and since 2003 the messages have not had titles.

The Federal Law of July 20, 1995 "On State Forecasting and Programs for the Socio-Economic Development of the Russian Federation" obliges the head of state to include an analysis of the country's socio-economic development in his message.

In addition, from 1995 to 2014, there was the President's Budget Message, and after its abolition, the main directions of budget policy should also be formulated in the annual message.

Where is the message

Since 1994, the members of the Federal Assembly have heard the address of the head of state in the Marble Hall of the 14th building of the Moscow Kremlin. Since 2008, the President of the Russian Federation has been speaking in the St. George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace, the main residence of the head of state. The decision to move the ceremony to another place was due to the larger capacity of the hall.

In 2018, the President for the first time to the Parliament in the big Manege. The transfer is associated with an increase in the number of participants in the event. In addition, screens that are difficult to install in the Grand Kremlin Palace will be used to display infographics.

Who is the president speaking to?

The ceremony is usually attended by about a thousand people. These are members of both houses of parliament - the State Duma and the Federation Council, members of the government, chairmen of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts, the Prosecutor General, the head of the Central Election Commission, the head Accounts Chamber, members of the State Council, the Public Chamber, heads of major confessions, heads of regions and cities of federal significance, other high-ranking officials, as well as media representatives.

How long is the president's speech

Vladimir Putin's speeches in the past lasted an average of 1 hour and 1 minute. The average duration of Dmitry Medvedev's messages was about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Medvedev holds the 2009 record for the length of the message - 1 hour 39 minutes 33 seconds. It was also the most voluminous message in Russian history: it contained 9 thousand 485 words.

Vladimir Putin twice (in 2004 and 2005) delivered the shortest speech before parliament - 48 minutes. He announced the shortest message in terms of volume in 2000 - 5 thousand 146 words.

What changes after the message

Legally, the president's annual appeals to parliament are advisory in nature. However, the State Duma and the Federation Council adopt resolutions aimed at implementing the tasks outlined by the president and take them into account in their legislative work. Based on the results of the appeal, specific instructions are formulated for the government.

What did Boris Yeltsin say?

The very first address of the President of Russia to Parliament was made in February 1994. Then Boris Yeltsin spoke about strengthening the state. A year later, he delivered a message entitled "On the Efficiency of state power".

In 1996, Yeltsin said that "the new edifice of Russian statehood" had been built, and called for inflation to be contained so that it would not exceed 25% by the end of the year. In 1997, the head of state pointed to a heavy burden of problems: more than half of the citizens suffer from delays in wages and pensions, "a noose of non-payments paralyzes the economy, corruption corrodes the state apparatus, the authorities poorly enforce laws and decrees."

Yeltsin called 1998 the year of political stability, and in his 1999 address he acknowledged that the country had "been hit by the most severe shock of the second half of 1998."

What did Dmitry Medvedev say

Dmitry Medvedev addressed the parliament four times. In 2008, he pointed to the aggression against South Ossetia and the "gaining momentum" of the global financial crisis. Then the head of state proposed to increase the terms of office of the President to six years, and the State Duma to five years.

In 2009, he outlined five directions for modernizing the economy and proposed the creation of a Russian analogue of Silicon Valley.

In 2010, the main topics of the appeal to the parliament were support for families, modernization of the country, changes in the political and legal system.

In 2011, Medvedev proposed returning to direct elections of governors, simplifying the registration of parties, and exempting them from collecting voter signatures in all elections, except for the presidential ones.

What did Vladimir Putin say?

Putin addressed the Federal Assembly 13 times. For the first time, in 2000, the head of state spoke about the threats of Russia's physical aging and extinction and its growing lag behind Western countries.

In 2001, Putin set the task of delimiting powers between the center and the regions. In 2002, among the main tasks, he named the reform of the army.

In 2003, Vladimir Putin called for a doubling of GDP in a decade. A year later, he was talking about reforms in health care, education and budget reform. In 2005, the president proposed that the party that won the elections in the region be allowed to nominate the candidate for the head of the region.

In 2006, Vladimir Putin called demography the most acute problem in Russia and proposed the introduction of maternity capital. A year later, the head of state called for a moratorium on the fulfillment of obligations under the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe.

Putin's 2012 address called for the return of elections to the State Duma under a mixed system and a ban on officials from owning foreign accounts. In 2013, the head of state spoke about the deoffshorization of the domestic economy and the development of the local self-government system.

The reunification of Crimea with Russia was the focus of Putin's 2014 address to parliament. The head of state also spoke about Western sanctions and import substitution. A year later, the president paid great attention to the fight against terrorism and the operation of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria.

In 2016, the head of state focused on the development of the digital economy, the reconstruction and renovation of schools, and high-tech medical care.

The role and positions of the state in the modern world are determined not only and not so much by natural resources and production capacities – I have already spoken about this – but first of all by people, conditions for development, self-realization, creativity of each person. Therefore, at the heart of everything is the saving of the people of Russia and the well-being of our citizens. This is where we need to make a decisive breakthrough.

I repeat: a solid foundation has been created for this. That is why today we can set and solve tasks of a new level. We already have experience in implementing large-scale programs and social projects. Our economy has shown its stability, and the stable macroeconomic situation that has been achieved opens up new opportunities for breakthrough development, for long-term growth.

And finally, the world today is accumulating a huge technological potential, which allows making a real breakthrough in improving the quality of life of people, in modernizing the economy, infrastructure and government controlled. How effectively we will be able to use the colossal opportunities of the technological revolution, how we will respond to its challenge, depends only on us. And in this sense, the coming years will be decisive for the future of the country. Let me emphasize this: it is decisive.

I'll explain why. What I am about to say now has absolutely nothing to do with the internal political cycle and even with the presidential election. Whoever is elected president, every citizen of Russia, all of us together must feel and understand what is happening in the world, around us and what challenges we face.
The fact is that the speed of technological change is accelerating rapidly, going up sharply. Whoever uses this technology wave will go far ahead. Those who cannot do this, it - this wave - will simply overwhelm, drown.

Technological backwardness, dependence means a decrease in the security and economic opportunities of the country, and as a result, the loss of sovereignty. That is how it is, and not otherwise. Lagging behind inevitably leads to weakening and erosion of human potential. Because new jobs, modern companies, attractive life prospects will be created in other, successful countries, where young, educated, talented people will leave, and with them the society will lose vitality and development energy.

I repeat: the changes in the world are of a civilizational nature. And the scale of this challenge requires us to respond with the same strength. We are ready to give such an answer. We are ready for a real breakthrough.

This confidence is based on those significant results, although outwardly, perhaps, not so bright, nevertheless, on the results that we have already achieved together, on the cohesion of Russian society and, most importantly, on the colossal potential of Russia, our talented, creative people. .
In order to move forward, to develop dynamically, we must expand the space of freedom, and in all areas, strengthen the institutions of democracy, local self-government, civil society structures, courts, be a country open to the world, new ideas and initiatives.

It is necessary to take long overdue, difficult, but extremely necessary decisions. Cut off everything that slows down our movement, prevents people from revealing themselves in full force and realizing themselves. We must concentrate all resources, gather all our strength into a fist, show the will for daring, productive work.
If we don't do this, neither we, nor our children, nor our country will have a future. And the question is not that someone will come, seize and destroy our land. No, that's not the point at all. It is the lag that is the main threat and that is our enemy. And if we do not reverse the situation, it will inevitably intensify. It's like a severe chronic disease that tirelessly, step by step, undermines and destroys the body from the inside. The body often does not feel it.
We need to ensure such creative power, such dynamics of development, so that no obstacles prevent us from confidently and independently moving forward. We ourselves must and will determine our future. ( Applause.)

About the well-being of the family

Dear colleagues!

What should be our priority? I repeat: I consider the well-being of people, prosperity in Russian families to be the main, key factor in development.
Let me remind you that in 2000, 42 million people were below the poverty line, which is almost 30-29% of the country's population. In 2012, we managed to reduce this level to 10%.

Due to the effects of the economic crisis, poverty has risen again. Today, 20 million citizens face it. Of course, this is not 42 million, as it was in 2000, but it is also unacceptably high. Even some working people live very modestly.

We are for the first time in recent history were able to equate the minimum wage to the living wage. This rule will come into effect on May 1, 2018, which will positively affect the incomes of about 4 million people. This is an important step, but not a fundamental solution to the problem.

We need to seriously upgrade the employment structure, which today is largely inefficient and archaic, to give people a good job that motivates, brings prosperity, allows them to realize themselves, create modern, well-paid jobs. On this basis, we must solve one of the key tasks for the coming decade - to ensure a steady, long-term growth in real incomes of citizens, and in six years to at least halve the level of poverty.

The entire system of social assistance must be built on the principles of fairness and targeting. We talk about it a lot, but it needs to be done eventually. It should be received by citizens, families who really need it.

In previous years, due to the active support of the family, motherhood, and childhood, we were able to reverse the negative demographic trends: we achieved an increase in the birth rate and a decrease in mortality, and managed to mitigate the consequences of two of the most difficult, overlapping, demographic failures during the Great Patriotic War and the end of the last century. As you can see on the graphs, unfortunately, it turned out to be about the same in terms of the level of decline in the birth rate. But today, the demographic losses of the nineties inevitably make themselves felt. First of all, this is a decrease in the birth rate, as the small generation of the nineties begins to create families. It's just an objective fact.

The demographic problem also has an economic dimension, a purely economic dimension. In 2017, for example, the working-age population fell by almost a million. In the coming years, this downward trend will continue, which could become a serious constraint on economic growth. There are simply no labor resources. It is necessary to respond to these challenges and ensure sustainable natural growth in Russia's population in the coming decade.

Our demographic policy has proved its effectiveness. And we continued, expanded it. We extended the maternity capital program, provided targeted payments for the birth of the first child, second and third child. In five years, over half a million families with children will be able to improve their living conditions with the help of subsidized mortgages. Also, a program is being launched to upgrade children's polyclinics and children's polyclinics in hospitals.

Despite a number of remaining issues, the problem with kindergartens has been generally resolved. Now we need to provide all the families that are in need with places in the nursery. Thus, to give young mothers the opportunity to continue their education or, if someone wants to, go to work as soon as possible without losing their qualifications. Over 270,000 nursery places should be created in three years. To solve this problem, we will provide financial support to the regions in the amount of about 50 billion rubles. from the federal budget.

In general, over the next six years, we will need to allocate at least 3.4 trillion rubles for demographic development measures, for the protection of motherhood and childhood. This is a large, but not prohibitive, realistic figure, it is 40% more than in the previous six years. In 2012-2017, we allocated 2.47 trillion rubles for these purposes.

Our moral duty is to support the older generation in every possible way, which has made a huge contribution to the development of the country. Older people should have decent conditions for active, healthy longevity. The main thing is that we must achieve an increase in the size of pensions, ensure their regular indexation, and above the inflation rate. We will also strive to reduce the gap between the size of the pension and salary, which was a person before retirement. And of course, we need to improve the quality of medical and social care for the elderly, help those who are lonely and find themselves in a difficult life situation.

Solving all these issues requires an integrated approach. I believe that the future, the new government will have to prepare a special program of systemic support and improve the quality of life of the older generation.
Each person is important and valuable to us, so that he feels his demand, lives a long and, most importantly, healthy life, enjoys his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, so that children grow up and become successful in a strong, dynamic, successful country that is entering new frontiers of development.

Russia should not only firmly gain a foothold in the top five largest economies in the world, but also increase its GDP per capita by 1.5 times by the middle of the next decade. This is a very difficult task. I am sure we are ready to solve this problem. ( Applause.)

The most important basic indicator of the well-being of citizens and the country is, of course, life expectancy. Let me remind you that in 2000 in Russia it was a little over 65 years, and for men it was generally less than 60. This is not just little, it is a tragedy, tragically little.

In recent years, the growth rate of average life expectancy in Russia has been one of the highest in the world. We managed to achieve this. Life expectancy has increased by more than seven years to 73 years. But this, of course, is not enough. Today we must set ourselves a goal of a fundamentally new level. By the end of the next decade, Russia should confidently enter the club of countries "80 plus", where life expectancy exceeds 80 years. ( Applause.) This includes such countries as Japan, France, Germany.

At the same time, the duration of a healthy, active, full life, when a person is not limited, not fettered by illness, should grow at a faster pace. I am convinced that such a goal, given the positive dynamics of past years, is achievable. And for this, all of Russia, of course, will have to take a big step in its development, so that the life of every person will qualitatively change. (BUT applause.)

About the modern living environment

Dear colleagues!

We need to create a modern environment for life, transform our cities and towns. At the same time, it is important that they retain their face and historical heritage. We already have a successful experience in upgrading the urban environment and infrastructure. I want to get rid of this now. This experience is also in Kazan, in Vladivostok, in Sochi. Many regional capitals and small towns are changing. We basically learned how to do it.

I propose launching a large-scale program for the spatial development of Russia, including the development of cities and other settlements, and at least doubling spending for this purpose over the next six years. ( Applause.)
It is clear that the development of cities and settlements is associated with a comprehensive solution of many other problems: healthcare, education, ecology, and transport. All this will also require additional funding. I will talk about this a little later in the relevant sections of the message today.
The renewal of the urban environment should be based on the widespread introduction of advanced technologies and materials in construction, modern architectural solutions, the use of digital technologies in the operation of social facilities, public transport, utilities, which, among other things, will ensure the transparency and efficiency of the housing and communal services system so that citizens receive quality services and do not overpay for them.

Such a large-scale project is new economic and social prospects for people, a modern environment for life, for cultural and civic initiatives, for small businesses and start-ups. All this will serve to form a mass, active middle class in Russia.

A lot will depend, of course, on city and local authorities, on their openness to advanced ideas. From the readiness to respond to the requests of residents of different generations, families with children, pensioners, the disabled. The opinion of the people, what should be their city or village, should be decisive. We have spoken about this more than once, including at meetings with heads of municipalities. Today I say this not just for show, and I ask you to draw the attention of leaders at all levels to this.

It is important that urban development become a driving force for the whole country. The active, dynamic life of Russia, with its vast territory, cannot be concentrated in a few megacities. Large cities should spread their energy, serve as a support for a balanced, harmonious spatial development of all of Russia. ( Applause.)

For this, a modern infrastructure is essential. I will say more about this separately. But it is obvious that it is precisely developed communications that will allow residents of small towns and villages to conveniently use all the opportunities and modern services that are available in large centers, and small settlements themselves will be closely integrated into the common social and economic space of Russia. At the same time, we will also support initiatives that will allow our small towns and settlements to preserve their originality and reveal their unique potential in a new way.

We will pay special attention to the social and infrastructural development of rural areas. The Russian agro-industrial complex has already become a globally competitive industry. The life of people who ensure this success with their work should be just as modern. ( Applause.)

About mortgages and taxes

Dear colleagues!

I understand how important it is for a person, for every family to have their own home, their own housing. For our country, this is a problem of problems. It stretches from decade to decade. How many times it was promised and tried, sincerely tried to solve it. And we can and must do it.

In 2017, 3 million families in Russia improved their living conditions. Now we need to steadily (and I would like to draw your attention to, for the first time in the history of modern Russia) reach a level where every year at least 5 million families improve their living conditions. It is a difficult task to jump from 3 million to five. We had 3.1 million last year, but we need five. But this is a solvable problem.
I see three key factors in increasing housing affordability. The first is the growth of citizens' incomes. I spoke about this, we must ensure this. Decrease in mortgage lending rates and, of course, an increase in supply in the housing market.

Let me remind you - now it has already been forgotten - that in 2001 throughout Russia, how many mortgage loans do you think were issued? Four thousand. Four thousand mortgages. The rate reached 30%, including in foreign currency. More than half of the loans, by the way, were issued in foreign currency. Few could take advantage of the mortgage. Last year, dear colleagues, about a million mortgage loans were issued. In December, the average rate in rubles dropped below 10% for the first time.

Of course, we also know this well, in each case the cost, other loan conditions are individual. But in general, we need to further reduce the average rate to 7-8%. We argued for a long time what number to call from this rostrum. But we need to strive, of course, to 7%, that's for sure. ( Applause.) Over the next six years, mortgages should become affordable for the majority of Russian families, for the majority of working citizens, for young professionals.

And a few more numbers. In the 50-70s of the last century, on average, about 60 million square meters were built and commissioned in the country. m of housing per year. By the end of the 80s, they approached 70 million. Today, about 80 million square meters are built annually in Russia. m. It was, however, a little more in some years, but on average 80 million. We need to take a new height, strive to increase construction volumes from today's 80 to 120 million square meters. m per year. The goal is very ambitious, but also absolutely realistic, if we keep in mind new technologies, and the experience that our construction companies have gained, and new materials. This movement from 80 to 120 is possible and necessary. I'll tell you why. If we want 5 million families to receive new housing a year, then we need to build 120 million. ( Applause.)
People who invest their money in housing construction must be protected. From shared construction, it is necessary to gradually move to project financing, when developers and banks, and not citizens, take on the risks.

I also propose to return to the tax on property of individuals. It must be fair and affordable for citizens.

When some colleagues, including those sitting in this room, urged us, including me, to use the market value of real estate when calculating this tax, they said that the old, outdated BTI estimates are an anachronism. However, in reality, it turned out that the cadastral value, which supposedly should correspond to the market value, often significantly exceeds it. But this was not agreed upon, and people did not expect this from us. ( Applause.)

It is necessary to clarify the mechanisms for calculating the tax, as well as determining the cadastral value of real estate. In any case, it should not exceed the real market value. All decisions must be made as quickly as possible in the first half of this year. (BUT applause.)

On the development of transport

Dear colleagues!

In order to develop cities and towns, increase business activity, and ensure the “connectivity” of the country, we need to literally “flash” the entire territory of Russia with modern communications.

In a few months, automobile traffic will open along the Crimean bridge, and next year, rail traffic will open. This will give impetus to the development of Crimea and the entire Russian Black Sea region.
We have seriously upgraded the federal highways. Now we need to put in order regional and local roads. I won't name numbers now, but I know about it. The federal highways are indeed pretty much in order. Slightly worse is the situation with the regional ones. And the locals are not good at all. I appeal to the heads of regions and cities: the condition of the roads should always be in the center of your attention. It is necessary to increase the quality and volume of road construction, to use new technologies and solutions, infrastructure mortgages, life cycle contracts.

And, of course, our most important task is to improve road safety and reduce deaths as a result of traffic accidents to a minimum.

In total, over the next six years, it is necessary to practically double spending on the construction and improvement of Russian roads, to allocate more than 11 trillion rubles for these purposes. from all sources. This is a lot, bearing in mind that in 2012-2017 we allocated 6.4 trillion rubles for these purposes, which is also a large figure, but we need 11.

Powerful Eurasian transport arteries will be developed. The construction of a highway is already underway, which will become an important part of the Europe-APR corridor. By the way, our partners from China and Kazakhstan - we are doing this together with them - have already completed their part of the work. Their sites are already in operation. And we need to seriously accelerate.

In six years, the throughput capacity of the BAM and the Trans-Siberian Railway will increase by one and a half times, up to 180 million tons. Containers will be delivered from Vladivostok to Russia's western border in seven days. This is one of the infrastructure projects that will give a quick economic return. There are cargoes there, and all investments will pay off very quickly and will contribute to the development of these territories.

The volume of transit container traffic on our railways should almost quadruple. This means that our country will be one of the world leaders in the transit of containers between Europe and Asia.

In 1990, the capacity of the ports of the entire Soviet Union reached 600 million tons. Due to the collapse of the country, we lost almost half. In the early 2000s, the capacity of Russian ports was only 300 million tons. Over 17 years, we have tripled it. At the beginning of last year, for the first time in history, the total capacity of Russian ports exceeded the mark of 1 billion tons. As you can see on the graphs, this is two-thirds more than the figures for the entire USSR. By the way, this is the figure at the beginning of the year, now it is already 1 billion 25 million tons. It is constantly growing.

The key to the development of the Russian Arctic and the regions of the Far East will be the Northern Sea Route. By 2025, its cargo traffic will increase tenfold, to 80 million tons. Our task is to make it a truly global, competitive transport artery. Please note that in Soviet times they were more actively used than we were in the previous one. But we will build up and reach new frontiers. There is no doubt here.

We will continue our active policy of attracting investments and creating centers of social and economic growth in the Far East. We will create all the conditions for people to live comfortably here, to come here, so that the population of the Far Eastern regions increases.
A number of large-scale industrial projects have already been launched in the Arctic. They meet the most stringent environmental standards. We are strengthening the scientific, transport, navigation, and military infrastructure, which will make it possible to secure Russia's interests in this strategically important region. We build modern nuclear icebreakers. Our Arctic fleet was, remains and will be the most powerful in the world. ( Applause.)

We have to reconstruct and expand the network of regional airports in Russia. In six years, half of interregional flights will be operated directly. The situation when you even need to fly to neighboring regions through Moscow will largely remain in the past. ( Applause.) We are already doing this. This applies to both the aviation component and the airport component.

Based on the Spatial Development Strategy, it is necessary to prepare a comprehensive plan for the modernization and expansion of the entire backbone infrastructure of the country. I consider this one of the priorities for the future government.

About energy and the Internet

Russia should become not only a key logistics and transport hub of the planet, but also, I emphasize, one of the world's centers for storage, processing, transmission and reliable protection information arrays, the so-called big data.

In general, when developing infrastructure, it is imperative to take into account global technological changes, that is, already today, to lay in projects specific solutions, which will allow to combine infrastructure with unmanned vehicles, digital sea and air navigation, organize logistics using artificial intelligence.
It is also necessary to introduce new technologies for generating, storing and transmitting energy. In the next six years, it is planned to attract about 1.5 trillion rubles to upgrade the domestic electric power industry. private investment. All over the country on digital mode work must move the power system. With the help of the so-called distributed generation, it is necessary to solve the issue of energy supply to remote areas.

By 2024, we will provide fast Internet access almost everywhere. The construction of fiber-optic communication lines will be completed to most settlements with a population of more than 250 people, and remote, small settlements in the Far North, Siberia and the Far East will receive stable access via a network of Russian satellites.

With the help of advanced telecommunications, we will open up all the possibilities of the digital world to our citizens. And these are not only modern services, online education, telemedicine, which is extremely important in itself, we understand this. But, in addition, people will be able to create scientific, volunteer teams, project groups, companies in the digital space. For our vast country, such a combination of talents, competencies, and ideas is a colossal breakthrough resource. ( Applause.)

About healthcare

Dear colleagues!
The most important task that concerns everyone is the availability of modern, high-quality medical care. We must be guided here by the highest world standards.

In 2019-2024, the development of the healthcare system from all sources will require an annual average of more than 4% of GDP. But you need to strive, of course, to 5%. ( Applause.) In absolute terms, this would mean that total health spending should double. At the same time, it is necessary to find additional opportunities for financing that would not hold back economic growth.

I would like to thank the doctors, paramedics, nurses for the difficult and necessary work. Very, very much rests on these people, as well as on teachers, educators, cultural workers, and they should receive decent wages. ( Applause.)

A lot was done during the implementation of the May 2012 decrees. I must say that there are some shortcomings, but in general, no matter how high the bar was raised by these decrees, if they hadn’t been there, the results that we have today would not have been. Ambitious goals should always be set.

And here we must not deviate from the milestones already achieved, I mean now the level of wages. The size of salaries in the public sector should continue to grow, as well as the quality of work, the level of training of specialists in healthcare, education, and other areas that determine the well-being of people.

In recent years, the network of medical institutions has been optimized. This was done in order to build an effective health care system. But in a number of cases, I am simply compelled to say this today, they have clearly become carried away with administrative changes: they have begun to close medical institutions in small towns and villages. They didn’t offer any alternatives, they left people with practically no medical care, offering nothing in return. One piece of advice: “Go to the city - get treated there!” This is absolutely unacceptable, I mean. They forgot about the main thing - about people. about their interests and needs. ( Applause.) Finally, about equal opportunities and justice.

This should not be the case in healthcare or any other field. It is necessary to ensure, and where necessary, to restore truly walking distance in primary health care. After all, you can do it, but you had to do it from the very beginning, when you were doing the transformation.

Now we need to do it as soon as possible. In settlements with a population of 100 to 2,000 people, feldsher-obstetric stations and outpatient clinics should be created during 2018-2020. (BUT applause.) And for settlements where less than 100 people live, we also have such ones, to organize mobile medical complexes, vehicles with increased cross-country ability, with all the necessary diagnostic equipment.
It is necessary to control the execution of these tasks. I consider them extremely important. And I also ask the All-Russian Popular Front to be in contact with citizens, to monitor the situation on the ground. At the same time, polyclinics and feldsher-obstetric stations, regional health care institutions and leading medical centers should be connected into a single digital circuit so that the forces of the entire national health system are involved in helping each person.

The most important task is the prevention of diseases. In the nineties, such work was practically not carried out. We started to restore it. It is necessary to provide all citizens with a real opportunity to undergo a quality preventive examination at least once a year. This is also important for cultivating a responsible attitude towards one's own health.

Modern diagnostics will reduce mortality in working age, consolidate the positive dynamics in the fight against diseases of cardio-vascular system. We have, there has been such a dynamic, it is very good. But this should also force such a threat as cancer to recede.

I think that, dear colleagues, almost every one of us has relatives, friends, friends who have been overtaken by this misfortune - cancer. I propose to implement a special nationwide program to combat cancer, actively involve science, the domestic pharmaceutical industry in solving this problem, modernize cancer centers, build a modern integrated system, from early diagnosis to timely effective treatment, which will protect people. We have a positive experience. ( Applause.) According to all the key indicators that demonstrate the effectiveness of oncological care - and experts know them well - we must reach the modern, the highest level we need.

About ecology

Dear colleagues!

To save the health of people, the efforts of medicine alone will not be enough. Throughout Russia, we must ensure high standards of environmental well-being.

It is difficult to talk about a long and healthy life if millions of people are still forced to drink water that does not meet the standards, if black snow falls, as in Krasnoyarsk, and residents of large industrial centers do not see the sun for weeks due to smog, as in Cherepovets, Nizhny Tagil, Chelyabinsk, Novokuznetsk and some other cities.

We have now tightened environmental requirements for enterprises, which will certainly reduce industrial emissions. From 2019, 300 industrial enterprises with a significant negative impact on environment, and from 2021, all enterprises with a high risk category for the environment must do this.

We've "approached this projectile" many times, and industry representatives have all the time referred to the difficulties they face. Everything, there is nowhere to retreat. I want everyone to know that there will be no more transfers.
It will also be necessary to modernize thermal power plants, boiler houses, public utilities, by building bypasses to relieve cities from transit traffic flows, to use eco-friendly species public transport. Today, about 22,000 landfills have been identified in Russia by public authorities and social activists. We need to solve this problem and, first of all, at least clean up and reclaim landfills within the city.

The quality of drinking water needs to be improved significantly. In some small towns, it is still served by the hour. It is important to involve the technologies available in the military-industrial complex in solving these problems.

Projects will be implemented to preserve the unique natural systems of Lake Baikal, Lake Teletskoye, as well as the entire Volga basin, which will directly affect the improvement of the quality of life for almost half of the population of Russia. ( Applause.)
24 new nature reserves and national parks will open. It is necessary to make them accessible for ecological tourism, which is important for fostering a careful, responsible attitude towards nature.

About civic engagement

Dear colleagues!

2018 has been declared the Year of the Volunteer in Russia, and it is symbolic that this year began with the adoption of a law that establishes the obligation of all levels of government to assist volunteers. Today, active, caring citizens, socially oriented NGOs are actively involved in solving the most important problems. It is the involvement of people in the affairs of the country and civic activity, as well as cultural, moral, spiritual values, that make us a single people capable of achieving great goals.
It is extremely important to preserve one's identity in a turbulent age of technological change, and here it is impossible to overestimate the role of culture, which is our nationwide civilizational code, reveals creative principles in a person.

I propose launching a program to create cultural, educational and museum complexes in the regions. They will include concert halls, theatrical, musical, choreographic and other creative schools, as well as exhibition spaces where the country's leading museums will be able to deploy their expositions. Why keep so many works of art in storerooms? ( Applause.) These should be real centers of cultural life, open to young people, for people of all ages. The first such project will be implemented in Vladivostok. Then we will select other regions and cities of the country. ( Applause.)

About education

Dear colleagues! Our children dream of a Russia looking to the future. There are a lot of sincere, I would say, heartfelt words in school essays on this topic. Bold dreams always work for a big goal, and we must reveal the talent that every child has, help him realize his aspirations. The future of Russia is formed in the classrooms. The school must respond to the challenges of the time, and then the country will be ready to respond to them.
International experts acknowledge that our elementary School already one of the strongest in the world. We will continue active work on the development of our general education, and at all levels. At the same time, I would like to emphasize that modern, high-quality education should be available to every child. Equal educational opportunities are a powerful resource for the development of the country and ensuring social justice.

It is necessary to move to fundamentally new, including individual learning technologies, to instill readiness for change, to creative search, to teach teamwork, which is very important in the modern world, life skills in the digital age from an early age. We will definitely support talented teachers aimed at constant professional growth. And, of course, we need to build an open, modern system for the selection and training of managerial personnel and school directors. The formation of strong pedagogical teams and the atmosphere in the school largely depend on them.
We will continue to strengthen a holistic system of support and development of the creative abilities and talents of our children. Such a system should cover the entire territory of the country, integrate the capabilities of such sites as Sirius, Quantoriums, centers additional education and children's creativity in all regions of Russia.

We need to build a modern career guidance. Universities, research teams, and successful companies should become partners here. I propose to launch a project of early career guidance for schoolchildren "Ticket to the Future" from the new academic year. It will allow the guys to try themselves in business, in their future profession in the leading companies of the country. Already this year, we are allocating 1 billion rubles for this initiative. ( Applause.)

I consider the development of the mentoring movement to be a significant task. Only in this way, by combining advanced knowledge and moral foundations, ensuring genuine partnership and mutual understanding of generations, we can be strong.

About high technologies

Dear colleagues!

Today, the most important competitive advantage is knowledge, technology, and competence. This is the key to a real breakthrough, to improving the quality of life. In the shortest possible time, we need to create an advanced legislative framework, remove all barriers to the development and wide application robotics, artificial intelligence, unmanned vehicles, e-commerce, big data processing technologies. Moreover, such a regulatory framework should be constantly updated, based on a flexible approach to each area and technology.

We are also well positioned to rapidly implement 5G data networks and IoT communications technologies.

We need to form our own digital platforms, naturally compatible with the global information space. This will allow for a new organization of production processes, financial services and logistics, including using the “distributed ledger” technology, which is very important for financial transactions, for accounting for property rights, and so on. This has a practical dimension.

We need to arrange the development and localization of key technologies and solutions, including for the development of the Arctic and the sea shelf, for new systems in the energy sector, in transport and in the urban economy. For areas that determine the quality of life, such as modern rehabilitation facilities for people with disabilities.

We are obliged to support high-tech companies, build a favorable environment for start-ups, for the rapid introduction of new developments into production. ( Applause.) We are talking about convenient infrastructure, comfortable tax regimes, intellectual property protection, technical regulation and venture financing.

Our technological development must be based on a strong foundation of fundamental science. In recent years, we have been able to seriously increase its potential, and we have reached the forefront in a number of areas. A great merit here belongs to the Russian Academy of Sciences, our leading research institutes.

Relying on the backlog of past years, including in the research infrastructure, we need to reach a fundamentally new level. In Gatchina and Dubna, projects of modern mega-science research facilities are already being implemented. Recently, the Council for Science and Education decided to create a powerful synchrotron accelerator in Novosibirsk Akademgorodok and a new generation accelerator in Protvino near Moscow.

As a result, the Russian research infrastructure will be one of the most powerful and efficient in the world. Its use will give our research teams, high-tech companies serious competitive advantages, for example, in creating modern medicines, new materials, element base of microelectronics.

And of course, such an infrastructure, ambitious scientific projects will attract our compatriots and scientists from other countries. In this regard, it is necessary to promptly form a legal basis for the work of international research teams in Russia.

Powerful scientific and educational centers should operate in full force. They will integrate the capabilities of universities, academic institutions, high-tech companies. Such centers are already being formed in Kazan and Samara, Tomsk and Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg and Tyumen, Vladivostok, Kaliningrad and other cities.

It is important to focus them on the implementation of major interdisciplinary projects, including in such a promising area as genomic research. A cardinal breakthrough in this direction will open the way to the creation of new methods for diagnosing, preventing and combating many diseases, and will expand the possibilities in breeding and agriculture.

It is necessary to consolidate the superiority of the national mathematical school. It's strong competitive advantage in the era of the digital economy. International mathematical centers will also become platforms for such work. Today they are already operating in Kazan and Novosibirsk. As part of the decisions made, we will open them in St. Petersburg, Moscow, and additionally in Sochi. ( Applause.)
Russian youth is already proving its leadership both in science and in other areas. Last year, schoolchildren won 38 medals at international olympiads. Our teams triumphantly won Olympiads in natural sciences and robotics, won the world championship in professional skills, and our students became the strongest in programming for the twelfth time. ( Applause.)

Based on the best practices and experience, we need to quickly modernize the system of vocational education, achieve qualitative changes in the training of students, primarily in advanced areas of technological development, form an “applied bachelor's degree” for those working professions that actually require engineering education, as well as to organize advanced professional retraining and advanced training centers for already working citizens.
I also propose creating the most convenient and attractive conditions for talented young people from other countries to come to study at our universities. They are coming. But we need to create conditions for the best foreign graduates of our universities to remain working in Russia. This fully applies to foreign scientists and qualified specialists.
I think that it is necessary to seriously improve the procedure for granting citizenship of the Russian Federation. The focus should be on those who the country needs: young, healthy, well-educated people. For them, it is necessary to create a simplified system for obtaining citizenship in Russia. ( Applause.)

About taxes

Dear colleagues!

In order to ensure breakthrough development, bring education and healthcare, the quality of the urban environment and infrastructure to a new level, in the next six years we will need to allocate significant additional financial resources for these purposes.

Question: due to what? How are you planning to raise these funds? First of all, we need to clearly prioritize and improve the efficiency of public spending. Energetic attraction of private resources to finance large projects. Also, the future government will have to form new tax conditions as soon as possible. They must be stable and fixed for the coming years.

Let me emphasize that we need fiscal solutions that will ensure the replenishment of budgets, and at all levels, as well as the fulfillment of all social obligations, and at the same time will not restrain, but stimulate economic growth. ( Applause.) It is the buildup of the economic potential of the country, of each region that is the main source of additional resources. To do this, we need an economy with growth rates above the world. Not an easy task. ( Applause.) But this is not a good wish, but a basic condition for a breakthrough in solving social, infrastructural, defense and other tasks. Achieving this growth rate should be a key benchmark for the new government.

About the economy

In recent years, we have strengthened the stability of the national economy. The dependence of the economy and the budget on fluctuations in energy prices has significantly decreased. We have increased the volume of gold and foreign exchange reserves. Inflation dropped to a record low of just over 2%. Of course, you and I understand that prices for a number of essential goods remain substantially higher. This needs to be strictly monitored, closely monitored, including by the antimonopoly service. But in general, such a low level of inflation provides additional opportunities for development. Let me remind you that back in 2015, quite recently, inflation was almost 13% - 12.9%.

In Russia today, in fact, a new macroeconomic reality has been formed, with low inflation and overall economic stability. For citizens, this is a condition for the growth of real incomes, lowering the cost of mortgages. For business - predictability in work and cheaper credit. Business must also adapt, get used to these new macroeconomic conditions. And, finally, it allows attracting long-term borrowings and private investments in large-scale infrastructure projects.

Now we have the opportunity, without accelerating inflation, while maintaining a very careful and responsible approach, to gradually reduce interest rates and increase the availability of credit. ( Applause.) I am counting on the support of the Bank of Russia here, that when making its decisions, implementing monetary policy measures, developing financial markets, it will work in contact with the government in the interests of the common goal of creating conditions for increasing economic growth rates.

In order to further change the structure of the national economy and increase its competitiveness, it is necessary to use the sources of growth at a fundamentally different level. Where are they? First of all, to increase labor productivity on a new technological, managerial and personnel basis. In this respect, we are still far behind.

It is necessary to ensure that labor productivity at medium and large enterprises in the basic sectors (these are industry, construction, transport, agriculture and trade) grows at a rate of at least 5% per year, which will allow reaching the level of the world's leading economies by the end of the next decade.
I want to emphasize that the increase in labor productivity is also the growth wages and hence consumer demand. This, in turn, is an additional driver for economic development.

All our actions should encourage companies to release technically sophisticated products, to introduce more efficient technologies. It is necessary to make an inventory of subsidies and other instruments of direct support for industries, and aim them at creating competitive goods.

The second source of growth is increased investment. We have already set the task of bringing them up to 25% of GDP, and then to 27%. The problem, unfortunately, has not been solved yet. To ensure sustainable growth, we need to do it, do it at all costs. I expect that the new government, together with the Bank of Russia, will present a specific plan of action in this area.
Investments should go primarily to the modernization and technological re-equipment of production facilities, the renewal of industry. We need to ensure the highest dynamics here, reach a level where, on average, every second enterprise carries out technological changes during the year. Then the renewal of the economy and industry will be noticeable.
The third large-scale reserve of economic growth is the development of small business. By the middle of the next decade, its contribution to the country's GDP should approach 40%, and the number of people employed here will grow from 19 million to 25 million people.

One of the key issues entrepreneurs are concerned about is the difficulty of accessing financial resources. Now the government is implementing a program under which small manufacturing businesses can take out a loan at an effective rate of 6.5%. I believe that it must be continued, and most importantly, to ensure the real availability of such a support tool.
And finally, another source of growth is the development of non-commodity exports. It is necessary to remove all administrative barriers here, to create the most favorable treatment for those companies that enter foreign markets.
Within six years, we must practically double the volume of non-oil, non-energy exports to $250 billion (applause), including bringing deliveries of engineering products to $50 billion. Annual exports of services, including education, medicine, and tourism, should grow to $100 billion , transport.

Back in the early 2000s, we were heavily dependent on imported food supplies. The situation has changed radically. Now we have to take the next step. In four years, we plan to supply more food to world markets than we import into the country. At the same time, it is necessary to increase the export of meat products, high value-added goods, as well as to increase the country's self-sufficiency in beef, milk, and vegetables.

I want to emphasize that the development of the agro-industrial complex, of course, is largely associated with large-scale commodity production, but this should not go to the detriment of the interests of small farms, the people who work in them. We must support family businesses, farmers. We will develop agricultural cooperation, create conditions for the growth of incomes of residents of rural areas. Here and there, we see, I know it, some problems flare up related to the interests of people and the things that affect these interests. You need to be very careful about this.

Nevertheless, I want to once again thank the workers of the agro-industrial complex for the record [grain] harvest in the entire history of the country - 134 million tons. Note that this is more than the record harvest in the Soviet Union. In 1978, the previous achievement was recorded - 127.4 million tons. Now we regularly reach yields of 100 million tons.
It is clear that such high yield there is also a downside. Prices dropped, storage and transportation problems arose. To support our producers, until July 1, 2018, preferential tariffs are provided for the transportation of grain by rail.

It is necessary to work out the extension of this measure, without fail, for the next grain seasons, as well as to provide for additional purchases in the regions of the Urals and Siberia, remote from ports, and in general to help those who are ready and want to process on the spot. The value added needs to be increased. ( Applause.) And then go further into animal husbandry with this product. We will definitely discuss these and other issues raised by the agro-industrial complex workers at the upcoming forum of agricultural producers in March and, based on the results, we will formulate additional measures to support the industry.

About business development

Dear colleagues!
In order for the economy to work at full capacity, we need to radically improve the business climate, ensure the highest level of entrepreneurial freedom and competition.

I would like to point out a principled position here. The share of the state in the economy should gradually decrease. In this regard, I would like to note that recently, as a result of the recovery of the banking system (and this is a very correct process, I support it), a number of financial assets have come under the control of the state. But you need to vigorously bring them to the market and sell them.

Everything should be removed that allows unscrupulous, corrupt representatives of the authorities and law enforcement agencies to put pressure on business. The Criminal Code should cease to be an instrument for resolving economic conflicts between legal entities. ( Applause.) Such disputes should be transferred to the administrative and arbitration plane.

I ask the working group on monitoring and analysis of law enforcement practice in the field of entrepreneurship with the participation of the Supreme Court, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, representatives of the business community to prepare specific proposals on this matter. With kondachka such questions are not solved. But they must be considered, taken out for a decision and decided. This must be done as quickly as possible.

At the same time, on the contrary, the norms of criminal law should act strictly in relation to crimes against the interests of citizens, society, and economic freedoms. This is an encroachment on the property and funds of citizens, raider seizures, violation of competition, tax evasion and embezzlement of budget funds.

Another important topic. The number of inspections of various kinds formally seems to be decreasing, but in the course of meetings with businesses, we hear that no fundamental changes have taken place yet. It is necessary to make sure that the appearance of controllers at enterprises becomes an exception. This is justified only at high-risk facilities. In other cases, remote control methods should be used. Within two years, it is necessary to transfer the entire control and supervision system to a risk-based approach. Let me remind you that the legislative base for this has been formed.

It is important to support start-up entrepreneurs, to help people take the first step so that they can open their own business with just one click, make mandatory payments, receive services, loans remotely, via the Internet.

Individual entrepreneurs, self-employed citizens who use such digital services should be completely exempted from reporting, making paying taxes for them a simple transaction that takes place automatically. As for entrepreneurs who use cash registers, their tax reporting should be drastically simplified. You know, this is all such a routine, at first glance, but this routine does not allow us to move forward energetically. ( Applause.) Everything must be done to clear this space. I will add that the active introduction of digital technologies and platforms will make it possible to consistently move towards increasing transparency and whitewashing the economy.

I would now like to address all representatives of Russian business, those who run their own small businesses, family businesses, farms, run an innovative company, a large industrial enterprise. I know, I know that we still have a lot to do. And, I assure you, we will do everything so that our entrepreneurs have new opportunities to expand production, to open companies, to create modern jobs. But at the same time, I hope Russian business will increase its contribution to the breakthrough development of the country, and respect for entrepreneurial work in society will grow. It is very important.
Dear colleagues! We need not only to build modern services for business, but also to make the system of interaction between the state and society, between the state and the citizen, understandable, convenient and comfortable.

We have already deployed the network multifunctional centers. A person anywhere in the country can now receive public services on a one-stop basis. Recall that it was special program. We have developed and implemented it.

We need to move forward, within six years to ensure the provision of almost all public services in real time, using remote services. It is also necessary to digitize the document flow between government agencies, which is important both for the government agencies themselves and for citizens, so as not to run around the Internet later and not search. You can get everything in one place. I will add that the digitalization of the entire system of public administration, increasing its transparency is also a powerful factor in combating corruption.

About officials

Officials at all levels should be interested in increasing their efficiency and be rigidly focused on obtaining a specific result. By the way, we talk about corruption and officials all the time. I must say and I have no right not to say this: the vast majority of people who work in the management system are honest, decent and result-oriented people. But what I have said will help everyone, including those who work in the state apparatus and citizens who use public services. It is in this logic that you need to rebuild the entire system public service, where appropriate, to introduce project methods of work.

Of course, it is necessary to ensure the promotion of modern professional personnel in the state and municipal service, in business, in the economy, science, production, in all areas.

As you know, the first Leaders of Russia competition has already taken place, and a number of other projects are being implemented to support young workers, entrepreneurs, innovators, volunteers, schoolchildren and students. They have already united hundreds of thousands of young people from all regions and have become an important step in their lives and professional careers.

I want to emphasize that for everyone who wants to work, prove himself, who is ready to honestly serve the Fatherland and the people, and achieve success, Russia will always be a country of opportunity. ( Applause.) This is the guarantee of our successful development, confident progress.

All the projects and priorities that I spoke about today: spatial development, investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and the environment, new technologies and science, measures to support the economy, promotion of talents, youth - all this is designed to work for one, strategic task - a breakthrough development of Russia. ( Applause.)

At the same time, of course, we cannot forget about the reliable provision of its security.

On defense and armament

Dear colleagues!

The Syrian operation showed the increased capabilities of the Russian Armed Forces. In recent years, a lot of work has been done to strengthen the army and navy. Equipping the Armed Forces with modern weapons has increased 3.7 times. More than 300 new models of military equipment have been adopted for service. The strategic nuclear forces received 80 new intercontinental ballistic missiles, 102 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and 3 Borei strategic missile submarines. 12 missile regiments were re-equipped with the new Yars missile system. The number of carriers of high-precision long-range weapons has increased by more than 12 times, and high-precision cruise missiles by more than 30 times. The power of general-purpose forces, the Aerospace Forces and the Navy has grown significantly. ( Applause.)

The whole country and the whole world now know the names of our latest aircraft, submarines, air defense systems, sea, air and land-based missile systems. All this is the latest, high-tech weapons of the last time. Along the perimeter of Russia's borders (very important!) a continuous radar field of a missile attack warning system has been created. After the collapse of the USSR, huge "holes" appeared. Everything is restored.

A qualitative breakthrough has been made in the development of unmanned aircraft, the National Defense Control Center of the Russian Federation has been created, and the operational command of the far sea zone has been formed. The number of servicemen under the contract has increased by 2.4 times, the staffing of the Armed Forces has been increased from 70% to 95-100%, and the long-term queue for permanent housing has been eliminated. His waiting period has been reduced by six times. ( Applause.)

Now about the main thing in this part, in the "Defense" section.
We will talk about the latest Russian strategic weapons systems that we are creating in response to the unilateral withdrawal of the United States of America from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and the practical deployment of this system both on the territory of the United States and beyond its national borders.
I must here make a small digression into the recent past.

Back in 2000, the United States raised the issue of withdrawing the United States from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. Russia was categorically against it. We proceeded from the premise that the Soviet-American ABM Treaty of 1972 was the cornerstone of the international security system. According to this agreement, each of the parties had the right to deploy on its territory only one area that protected it from a missile attack. In Russia, such a system was deployed around Moscow, in the United States - around the Grand Forks ground-based missile base.

Along with the Treaty on the Limitation of Strategic Nuclear Offensive Arms, this agreement not only created a certain atmosphere of trust, but also guaranteed against the thoughtless use of nuclear weapons by one of the parties, which is dangerous for all mankind, since the limited missile defense systems made a potential aggressor vulnerable to a retaliatory strike.

We have been persuading the Americans for a long time not to destroy the ABM Treaty, not to disturb the strategic balance. Everything is in vain. In 2002, the United States unilaterally withdrew from this treaty. But even after that, we tried for a long time to establish a constructive dialogue with them. It was proposed to establish joint work in this area in order to remove concerns and maintain an atmosphere of trust. At some point it seemed to me that a compromise could be found, but no. All our proposals, namely all our proposals, were rejected. We declared then that we would be forced to improve modern strike systems in order to ensure our own security. In response, we were told: “The United States is creating a global missile defense system not against you, not against Russia, but you do what you want. We will proceed from the fact that this is not against us, not against the United States.”

Where this position came from is generally clear. After the collapse of the USSR, Russia, which in Soviet times was called the Soviet Union - it was called so abroad, Soviet Russia - if we talk about our national borders, lost 23.8% of the territory, 48.5% of the population, 41% of the gross social product , 39.4% of the industrial potential (I pay attention, almost half), 44.6% of the military potential in connection with the division of the Armed Forces of the USSR between the former Soviet republics. Equipment in the Russian army was becoming obsolete, the Armed Forces themselves were, frankly, in a deplorable state. A civil war was going on in the Caucasus, and American inspectors were sitting at our leading uranium enrichment enterprises.

The question at one time was not even about whether we could develop a strategic weapons system, some wondered whether our country was generally able to safely maintain and maintain nuclear weapons that we inherited after the collapse of the USSR. Russia was all in debt, without loans from the IMF and the World Bank, the economy did not work, it was impossible to support the social sphere.

Apparently, our partners have formed a strong opinion that the revival of the economy, industry, the military-industrial complex and the Armed Forces of our country to a level that provides the necessary strategic potential is impossible in the foreseeable historical future. And if this is so, then there is no point in considering the opinion of Russia, you need to go further and achieve a final unilateral military advantage, and then dictate your terms in all other areas.

In principle, such a position, such logic, based on the realities of that time, can be understood, we ourselves are to blame for this. All these years, all 15 years after the US withdrew from the ABM Treaty, we have been persistently trying to bring the Americans back to serious discussion, reaching agreements in the field of strategic stability.

Something has been done. In 2010, the START III Treaty was signed between Russia and the United States on measures to further reduce and limit strategic offensive weapons. However, with the implementation of plans to build a global missile defense system, which continues now, all agreements under START III are gradually devalued, because with the reduction of carriers and warheads simultaneously and uncontrollably by one of the parties, namely the United States, the number of anti-missiles is increasing, their quality characteristics are improving , new position areas are being created, which in the end, if we do nothing, will lead to a complete depreciation of the Russian nuclear potential. Well, he'll just be intercepted, that's all.

Despite our numerous protests and appeals, the American machine started working, the conveyor went on. There are already missile defense systems in Alaska and California, as a result of NATO's expansion to the east, two missile defense areas have appeared in Eastern Europe: in Romania it has already been created, in Poland it is being deployed. The range of anti-missiles used will grow, it is planned to deploy them in Japan and South Korea. The US global missile defense system also includes a naval grouping - five cruisers and 30 destroyers, as far as we know, deployed in areas in close proximity to Russian territory. I am not exaggerating anything here, the work is still in full swing today.

And what have we done, apart from protests and warnings? How did Russia respond to this challenge? Here's what.

All these years after the US unilateral withdrawal from the ABM Treaty, we have been hard at work on advanced equipment and weapons. This allowed us to take a swift, big step in the creation of new models of strategic weapons.

Let me remind you that the US global missile defense system is being created mainly to combat strategic missiles flying along a ballistic trajectory. These weapons form the backbone of our Nuclear Deterrent Force. As well as, however, and other states of the "nuclear club".

In this regard, Russia has developed and is constantly improving very modestly priced, but highly effective systems for overcoming missile defense, which are equipped with all of our intercontinental ballistic missile systems.

In addition, we have begun to develop a new generation of missiles. In particular, at present, the Ministry of Defense, together with enterprises in the rocket and space industry, has begun an active phase of testing a new missile system with a heavy intercontinental missile. We named it "Sarmat".
This missile system will replace the Voevoda complex, created back in the Soviet Union. Everyone has always recognized his high combat power. Our foreign colleagues, as you know, even gave it a very threatening name.

But the capabilities of the Sarmat missile are much higher. With a weight of over 200 tons, it has a short active flight segment, which makes it difficult to intercept it by missile defense systems. The range of the new heavy missile, the number and power of warheads is greater than that of the Voyevoda. "Sarmat" will be equipped with a wide range of high-yield nuclear weapons, including hypersonic ones, and the most modern systems to overcome missile defense. High protection characteristics of launchers and high energy capabilities will ensure the use of this complex in any environment.
Show the video, please. ( Applause.)

(.)

Voevoda has a range of 11 thousand km, the new system has practically no range restrictions. ( Applause.)

As can be seen from the video footage, it is capable of attacking targets through both the North and South Poles. "Sarmat" is a very formidable weapon, due to its characteristics, no, even promising missile defense systems, can interfere with it. ( Applause.)

But we didn't stop there. We have begun developing new types of strategic weapons that do not use ballistic flight paths at all when moving towards the target, which means that missile defense systems are useless and simply pointless in the fight against them.

Russia's promising weapons systems are based on the latest unique achievements of our scientists, designers and engineers. One of them is the creation of a small-sized heavy-duty nuclear power plant, which is located in the body of a cruise missile like our latest air-launched X-101 missile or the American Tomahawk, but at the same time provides dozens of times - dozens of times! - a large flight range, which is practically unlimited. A low-flying, stealthy cruise missile carrying a nuclear warhead, with a practically unlimited range, an unpredictable flight path and the ability to bypass interception lines, is invulnerable to all existing and future systems, both missile defense and air defense. I will say these words more than once today.
At the end of 2017, the latest Russian cruise missile with a nuclear power plant was successfully launched at the Central Test Range of the Russian Federation. During the flight, the power plant reached the specified power, provided the required level of thrust.

The missile launch and the complex of ground tests make it possible to move on to the creation of a fundamentally new type of weapon - a strategic nuclear weapon complex with a missile equipped with a nuclear power plant.
Video please. ( Applause.)

(A video is shown.)

Detour of defense lines is shown. Since the range is not limited, she can maneuver as long as she likes. ( Applause.)

As you understand, no one else in the world has anything like it yet. Someday, probably, it will appear, but during this time our guys will come up with something else. ( Applause.)

Further. It is well known that unmanned weapon systems are being actively designed and created in the world. I can say that Russia has developed unmanned underwater vehicles capable of moving at great depths (you know, I would say at very great depths) and at intercontinental ranges at a speed that is a multiple of the speed of submarines, the most modern torpedoes and all types, even the most high-speed surface ships. It's just fantastic. They have low noise, high maneuverability and are practically invulnerable to the enemy. Means that can resist them, today in the world simply does not exist.
Unmanned underwater vehicles can be equipped with both conventional and nuclear weapons. This will allow them to hit a wide range of targets, including aircraft carrier groups, coastal fortifications and infrastructure.
In December 2017, a multi-year cycle of testing an innovative nuclear power plant to equip this autonomous uninhabited vehicle was fully completed. The nuclear installation has a uniquely small size and, at the same time, an ultra-high power-to-weight ratio. With a volume 100 times less than that of modern nuclear submarines, it has more power and 200 times less time to enter combat mode, that is, to maximum power.

The results of the tests carried out gave us the opportunity to start creating a fundamentally new type of strategic weapon equipped with high-yield nuclear munitions.

Video please.

()

By the way, the code names for these two new types of Russian strategic weapons - a global-range cruise missile and an unmanned underwater vehicle - have not yet been chosen. We are waiting for proposals on the websites of the Ministry of Defense. ( Applause.)

It is well known that countries with a high level of scientific potential and advanced technologies are actively developing so-called hypersonic weapons. Supersonic speed is measured, as you know, with swings in honor of the Austrian scientist Ernst Mach, who was engaged in research in this area. One move - 1062 km / h at an altitude of 11 km. One speed of sound - one max, from one to five - supersonic, from five or more - hypersonic. The possession of such weapons, of course, gives serious advantages in the field of armed struggle. Its power, power, as military experts say, can be enormous, and its speed makes it invulnerable to today's missile defense and air defense systems, since anti-missiles, to put it simply, simply cannot catch up with them. In this regard, it is understandable why the leading armies of the world strive to have such an ideal weapon for today.

Dear friends! Russia has such weapons. ( Applause.) Has already.
The most important step in modern weapons systems was the creation of a high-precision hypersonic aviation missile system, which, as you already understood for sure, has no analogues in the world. Its tests have been successfully completed, and, moreover, from December 1 last year, the complex began to carry out experimental combat duty at the airfields of the Southern Military District. ( Applause.)

The unique flight performance of a high-speed carrier aircraft makes it possible to deliver a missile to the drop point in a matter of minutes. At the same time, a missile flying at a hypersonic speed ten times the speed of sound also maneuvers in all parts of the flight path, which also allows it to reliably overcome all existing and, I think, promising anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense systems, delivering to the target at range over 2,000 km nuclear and conventional warheads. We called this system "Dagger".

Video please. ( Applause.)

(The video is shown with applause..)

But that's not all I'm going to talk about today. ( Applause.)

A real technological breakthrough is the creation of a promising strategic missile system with a fundamentally new combat equipment - a gliding winged unit, the tests of which have also been successfully completed. I repeat once again that we have repeatedly told our American and European partners - NATO members that we will take the necessary measures to neutralize the threats that arise for us in connection with the deployment of the US global missile defense system. We talked about this during the negotiations, and even publicly. Back in 2004, after the exercises of the strategic nuclear forces, during which the system that I am now talking about was tested for the first time, I said at a meeting with the press. It's embarrassing to quote myself, but it would just be appropriate today. So, it was said: “In the context of the qualitative and quantitative growth of the military potential of other states of Russia, a breakthrough is needed in order to have weapons and equipment of a new generation. In this regard, I can inform you with satisfaction that as a result of the experiments carried out during these exercises, which ended positively, we finally became convinced and confirmed that in the near future, the latest technical systems will be put into service with the Russian Army, the Strategic Missile Forces, which are able to hit targets at intercontinental depths at hypersonic speeds and high precision, with the possibility of deep maneuver both in height and in course. I must say that in what has just been said, every word matters. No other country in the world currently has such weapons systems. End of quote. ( Applause.)

Of course, every word matters, because it was about the possibility of bypassing interception lines. Why did we do all this? Why did we say this? As you can see, we did not make any secret of our plans, but spoke about it openly and in order, first of all, to induce our partners to negotiations. I repeat, it was 2004. It is even surprising, but despite all the problems that we faced in the economy, in finance, in the defense industry, in the army, Russia still remained and remains the largest nuclear power. No, no one really wanted to talk to us, no one listened to us. Listen now. ( )

So, this system differs from the existing types of combat equipment by the ability to fly in dense layers of the atmosphere to an intercontinental range at a hypersonic speed exceeding the Mach number by more than 20 times.

When moving towards the target, the gliding winged unit, as I said in 2004, performs deep maneuvering, both lateral (moreover, for several thousand kilometers) and in height. This makes it absolutely invulnerable to any means of air defense and missile defense.

The use of new composite materials made it possible to solve the problem of a long-term controlled flight of a gliding wing unit practically under conditions of plasma formation. He goes to the goal like a meteorite, like a burning ball, like a fireball. The temperature on the surface of the product reaches 1600-2000 degrees Celsius, while the winged unit is reliably controlled.
Video please.

(The video was shown with applause.)

For obvious reasons, today we cannot show the true appearance, the true appearance of this product. Even that matters today, a serious matter. I think everyone understands this. But I assure you, all this is available and works well. ( Applause.) Moreover, Russian industrial enterprises have begun mass production of this system - this is another new type of Russian strategic weapon. We named it Vanguard. ( Applause.)

We are also well aware that a number of states are working on the creation of promising weapons based on new physical principles. There is every reason to believe that here we are one step ahead. At least where it matters most.
Thus, significant results have been achieved in the creation of laser weapons. And this is no longer just a theory or projects, and not even just the start of production. Combat laser systems have already been delivered to the troops since last year.

I do not want to go into details in this part, it's just not the time yet. But experts will understand that the presence of such combat systems multiplies Russia's capabilities, namely, multiples, in the field of ensuring its security.
Watch a short video.

(Video is shown.)

For those who are interested in military technology, I would also like to suggest, I would ask them to suggest a name for this new technology, this newest complex. ( Applause.)

Of course, we will still be engaged in fine-tuning, development, and improvement of our latest weapon systems. And, of course, today I have not spoken about all of our achievements and promising developments. But enough for today. ( Applause.)

I would like to emphasize that the models of new strategic weapons that have been created and are being created, in fact, new types of strategic weapons, are not a legacy of the times of the Soviet Union. In the course of our work, of course, we relied on some of the ideas of our brilliant predecessors, but all that I have said today is the latest developments of recent years, this is the result of the efforts of dozens, dozens of scientific organizations, design bureaus, and institutes. Quietly, modestly, without any self-admiration, with full dedication of energy and for many years, thousands, namely thousands of our specialists, wonderful scientists, designers, engineers, talented workers passionate about their work, worked on this quietly, modestly, without any self-admiration. There are many young people among them. All of them, as well as our servicemen, who demonstrated in combat conditions best qualities Russian army, all of them are the real heroes of our time. I would like to turn to each of them now and say: of course, there will be prizes, awards, and honorary titles, but I know that I have met many of you personally that you are not working for awards. The main thing is to reliably ensure the security of the Fatherland and our people. And as the head of the Russian state, on behalf of the people of Russia, I sincerely thank you for your work and for its results. Our Motherland needs them so much today! ( Applause.)

All promising military developments, as I have already said, are based on outstanding achievements that can, should and will in due time be used in high-tech civilian industries. But what I want to emphasize is that such a unique, most complex weapon can be successfully developed and produced only by a state with the highest level of fundamental science and education, a powerful research, technological, industrial, and personnel base. And you see that Russia has all these resources. ( Applause.)

We will increase this potential, concentrate these opportunities on solving the large-scale tasks that the country faces in the economy, in the social sphere, and in infrastructure. And such a confident long-term development of Russia will always be reliably protected. ( Applause.)

I repeat, each of these weapons systems is unique and important, but what is even more significant is that all this together enables the specialists of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff to create a promising, integrated system of defense of the country, in which each of the latest tools of armed struggle is assigned its own role. Along with the strategic weapons that we have and are already on combat duty, which we are also constantly improving, Russia will receive a defense system that will reliably ensure its security in the long term.

Of course, there is still a lot to be done in the field of military development, but today we can say with good reason: in Russia there is a modern, compact, high-tech army, taking into account the vastness of our territory, the heart of which is an officer devoted to his Motherland, ready to make any sacrifices for the sake of his people. frame. ( Applause.) Equipment, weapons, even the most modern, sooner or later will appear in other armies of the world. This does not bother us at all, we already have it and it will be even better. The main thing is elsewhere. They will never have such people, such officers as our pilot of the guard, Major Roman Filipov! ( Prolonged applause, the hall rises.)

About international politics

I hope that everything that was said today will sober up any potential aggressor, and such unfriendly steps towards Russia, such as the deployment of a missile defense system, the proximity of NATO infrastructure to our borders, and the like, become ineffective from a military point of view, and unjustified from a financial point of view. costly and ultimately simply meaningless for those who initiate and do it.

About everything that was said today, we somehow had to inform our partners in accordance with the international obligations assumed earlier. At the right time and to the right extent, specialists from the Foreign and Defense Ministry will discuss these issues with them more than once, if, of course, our partners so desire.

For my part, I would like to note that all work to strengthen the defense capability of Russia has been carried out and is being carried out by us within the framework of existing agreements in the field of arms control, we are not violating anything. I would like to emphasize that the growing military power of Russia does not threaten anyone, we have not had and do not have plans to use this potential for offensive, let alone aggressive purposes.

We are not threatening anyone, we are not going to attack anyone, we are not going to take anything from anyone at gunpoint: we ourselves have everything. On the contrary, I consider it necessary to emphasize (and this is very important): the growing military power of Russia is a reliable guarantee of peace on our planet, since this power maintains and will maintain the strategic balance and balance of power in the world, which, as is known, has been and remains one of the most important factors of international security after the Second World War and up to the present day.

And for those who over the past 15 years have been trying to inflate the arms race, trying to gain unilateral advantages against Russia, introducing restrictions and sanctions illegal from the international legal point of view in order to restrain the development of our country, including in the military field, I will say: all What you tried to prevent, prevent by pursuing such a policy has already happened. It was not possible to contain Russia! ( Applause.)

Now you need to realize this reality, make sure that everything that I said today is not a bluff - and this is not a bluff, believe me - to think, to send those who live in the past and are not able to look into the future to a well-deserved rest. , to stop rocking the boat in which we are all located and which is called "Planet Earth".

In this regard, I would like to note one more circumstance. Of great concern are some of the provisions of the updated review of US nuclear strategy, which expands the possibility of reducing and lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. And behind the scenes, you can reassure anyone and in any way you like, but we read what is written. And it is written in such a way that it can be launched in response to conventional strikes or even a cyber threat.
I note that in our military doctrine, Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons only in response to the use of nuclear and other types of weapons against it or its allies. mass destruction or in the case of aggression against us with the use of conventional weapons, when the very existence of the state is threatened. Everything is very precise, clear, concrete.
In this regard, I consider it my duty to state the following. We will consider any use of nuclear weapons against Russia or its allies of small, medium, and whatever power as a nuclear attack on our country. The answer will be instant and with all the ensuing consequences. ( Applause.)
No one should have any doubts about this. There is no need to create new threats to the world, but, on the contrary, we need to sit down at the negotiating table and think together about a renewed, promising system of international security and sustainable development of civilization. We have always told you about it. All these proposals remain in force, Russia is ready for this.

Our policy will never be based on claims to exclusivity, we protect our interests and respect the interests of other countries, we are guided by international law, we consider the key role of the UN to be unshakable. It is these principles and approaches that allow us to build strong, good and equal relations with the absolute majority of the world's states.

An example of this is our comprehensive strategic partnership with the People's Republic of China. Russia has a particularly privileged strategic relationship with India. Our relations with very many countries of the world are gaining new momentum.

Russia actively participates in the work of international organizations. Together with partners, we are developing such associations and structures as the CSTO, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, we are promoting a positive agenda in the UN, the G20, and APEC. We are interested in normal, constructive cooperation with the US and the European Union. We hope that common sense will prevail and our partners will make a choice in favor of honest, equal cooperation.

Even if our positions do not coincide in some way, we still remain partners, because together we will meet the most difficult challenges, ensure universal security, build a future world that is becoming more and more interconnected, where integration processes are actively gaining momentum.

Together with partners in the Eurasian Economic Union, we intend to make it a globally competitive integration association. On the agenda is the creation in the EurAsEC of a common market for electricity, oil, oil products and gas, the harmonization of financial markets, and the work of customs services. We will continue to work on the project to create a large Eurasian partnership.

On the role of Russia

Dear colleagues!
The whole world is now going through a turning point, and the leader will be the one who is ready and able to change, the one who acts, goes forward. Our country, our people showed such a will at all the defining historical stages of our development. Over the past 30 years, we have achieved changes that have taken other countries centuries to achieve.
We went, we go and we will go our confident course. We were and will be together. ( Applause.) Our solidarity is the strongest foundation for further development. In the coming years, we need to further strengthen our unity so that we work as one team that understands that changes are necessary and is ready to give their strength, knowledge, experience, and talent to achieve common goals.

Challenges, big tasks fill our lives with special meaning. We need to be bold in our plans, deeds and deeds, take the initiative, responsibility, become stronger, and therefore benefit our family, children, the whole country, change the world, the life of the country for the better, create Russia, which we dream of together . And then the coming decade, the entire 21st century, will certainly become the time of our bright victories, our common success. I believe it will.

Thank you. ( Applause, the hall rises, the anthem of the Russian Federation sounds.)

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE FEDERAL ASSEMBLY

[Message of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation]

Dear citizens of Russia! Dear members of the Federation Council and deputies of the State Duma!

Today's Message is of a special, landmark nature, just like the time in which we live, when the significance of our choice, the significance of each step, deed is exceptionally high, because they determine the fate of our country for decades to come.

It was at such turning points that Russia repeatedly proved its ability to develop, to renovate, to develop lands, build cities, conquer space, and make grandiose discoveries. This constant striving for the future, the fusion of traditions and values ​​ensured the continuity of our thousand-year history.

We also went through large-scale, difficult transformations, coped with absolutely new and very complex economic and social challenges, preserved the unity of the country, established ourselves as a democratic society on a free, independent path.

We have ensured stability and stability in almost all spheres of life, and this is critically important for our vast multinational country, with a complex federal structure, with a variety of cultures, with a memory of historical fractures and the most difficult trials that befell Russia.

However, sustainability is the basis, but not a guarantee of further development. We have no right to allow the achieved stability to lead to complacency. Moreover, many problems are still far from being solved.

Russia today is one of the leading powers with a powerful foreign economic and defense potential. But from the point of view of the most important task of ensuring the quality of life and the well-being of people, we, of course, have not yet reached the level we need. But we must do it and we will do it.

The role and positions of the state in the modern world are determined not only and not so much by natural resources, production capacities - I have already spoken about this - but first of all by people, conditions for development, self-realization, creativity of each person. Therefore, at the heart of everything is the saving of the people of Russia and the well-being of our citizens. This is where we need to make a decisive breakthrough.

I repeat: a solid foundation has been created for this. That is why today we can set and solve tasks of a new level. We already have experience in implementing large-scale programs and social projects. Our economy has shown its stability, and the stable macroeconomic situation that has been achieved opens up new opportunities for breakthrough development, for long-term growth.

And finally, the world today is accumulating a huge technological potential, which makes it possible to make a real breakthrough in improving the quality of life of people, in modernizing the economy, infrastructure and public administration. How effectively we will be able to use the colossal opportunities of the technological revolution, how we will respond to its challenge, depends only on us. And in this sense, the coming years will be decisive for the future of the country. Let me emphasize this: it is decisive.

I'll explain why. What I am about to say now has absolutely nothing to do with the internal political cycle and even with the presidential election. Whoever is elected president, every citizen of Russia, all of us together must feel and understand what is happening in the world, around us and what challenges we face.

The fact is that the speed of technological change is accelerating rapidly, going up sharply. Whoever uses this technology wave will go far ahead. Those who cannot do this, she - this wave - will simply overwhelm, drown.

Technological backwardness, dependence mean a decrease in the country's security and economic opportunities, and as a result, the loss of sovereignty. That is how it is, and not otherwise. Lagging behind inevitably leads to weakening and erosion of human potential. Because new jobs, modern companies, attractive life prospects will be created in other, successful countries, where young, educated, talented people will leave, and with them the society will lose vitality and development energy.

I repeat: the changes in the world are of a civilizational nature. And the scale of this challenge requires us to respond with the same strength. We are ready to give such an answer. We are ready for a real breakthrough.

This confidence is based on those significant results, although outwardly, perhaps, not so bright, nevertheless, on the results that we have already achieved together, on the cohesion of Russian society and, most importantly, on the colossal potential of Russia, our talented, creative people. .

In order to move forward, to develop dynamically, we must expand the space of freedom, and in all areas, strengthen the institutions of democracy, local self-government, civil society structures, courts, be a country open to the world, new ideas and initiatives.

It is necessary to take long overdue, difficult, but extremely necessary decisions. Cut off everything that slows down our movement, prevents people from revealing themselves in full force and realizing themselves. We must concentrate all resources, gather all our strength into a fist, show the will for daring, productive work.

If we don't do this, neither we, nor our children, nor our country will have a future. And the question is not that someone will come, seize and devastate our land. No, that's not the point at all. It is the lag that is the main threat and that is our enemy. And if we do not reverse the situation, it will inevitably intensify. It's like a severe chronic disease that tirelessly, step by step, undermines and destroys the body from the inside. The body often does not feel it.

We need to ensure such creative power, such dynamics of development, so that no obstacles prevent us from confidently and independently moving forward. We ourselves must and will determine our future.

Dear colleagues!

What should be our priority? I repeat: I consider the well-being of people, prosperity in Russian families to be the main, key factor in development.

Let me remind you that in 2000, 42 million people were below the poverty line, which is almost 30 percent - 29 percent of the country's population. In 2012, we managed to reduce this level to 10 percent.

Due to the effects of the economic crisis, poverty has risen again. Today, 20 million citizens face it. Of course, this is not 42 million, as it was in 2000, but it is also unacceptably high. Even some working people live very modestly.

For the first time in recent history, we were able to equate the minimum wage to the subsistence minimum. This rule will come into effect on May 1, 2018, which will positively affect the incomes of about four million people. This is an important step, but not a fundamental solution to the problem.

We need to seriously upgrade the employment structure, which today is largely inefficient and archaic, to give people a good job that motivates, brings prosperity, allows them to realize themselves, create modern, well-paid jobs. On this basis, we must solve one of the key tasks for the coming decade - to ensure a steady, long-term growth in real incomes of citizens, and in six years to at least halve the level of poverty.

The entire system of social assistance must be built on the principles of fairness and targeting. We talk about it a lot, but it needs to be done eventually. It should be received by citizens, families who really need it.

In previous years, due to the active support of the family, motherhood, and childhood, we were able to reverse the negative demographic trends: we achieved an increase in the birth rate and a decrease in mortality, and managed to mitigate the consequences of two of the most difficult, overlapping, demographic failures during the Great Patriotic War and the end of the last century. As you can see on the graphs, unfortunately, it turned out to be about the same in terms of the level of decline in the birth rate. But today, the demographic losses of the 90s inevitably make themselves felt. First of all, this is a decrease in the birth rate, as the small generation of the 90s begins to create families. It's just an objective fact.

The demographic problem also has an economic dimension, a purely economic dimension. In 2017, for example, the working-age population fell by almost a million. In the coming years, this downward trend will continue, which could become a serious constraint on economic growth. There are simply no labor resources. It is necessary to respond to these challenges and ensure sustainable natural growth in Russia's population in the coming decade.

Our demographic policy has proved its effectiveness. And we continued, expanded it. We extended the maternity capital program, provided targeted payments for the birth of the first child, second and third child. In five years, over half a million families with children will be able to improve their living conditions with the help of subsidized mortgages. Also, a program is being launched to upgrade children's polyclinics and children's polyclinics in hospitals.

Despite a number of remaining issues, the problem with kindergartens has been generally resolved. Now we need to provide all the families that are in need with places in the nursery. Thus, to give young mothers the opportunity to continue their education or, if someone wants to, go to work as soon as possible without losing their qualifications. Over 270,000 nursery places should be created in three years. To solve this problem, we will provide financial support to the regions in the amount of about 50 billion rubles from the federal budget.

In general, over the next six years, we will need to allocate at least 3.4 trillion rubles for demographic development measures, for the protection of motherhood and childhood. This is a large, but not prohibitive, realistic figure, it is 40 percent more than in the previous six years. In 2012-2017, we allocated 2.47 trillion rubles for these purposes.

Our moral duty is to support the older generation in every possible way, which has made a huge contribution to the development of the country. Older people should have decent conditions for active, healthy longevity. The main thing is that we must achieve an increase in the size of pensions, ensure their regular indexation, and above the inflation rate. We will also strive to reduce the gap between the size of the pension and the salary that a person had before retirement. And of course, we need to improve the quality of medical and social care for the elderly, help those who are lonely and find themselves in a difficult life situation.

Solving all these issues requires an integrated approach. I believe that the future, the new government will have to prepare a special program of systemic support and improve the quality of life of the older generation.

Each person is important and valuable to us, so that he feels his demand, lives a long and, most importantly, healthy life, enjoys his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, so that children grow up and become successful in a strong, dynamic, successful country that is entering new frontiers of development.

Russia should not only firmly gain a foothold in the top five largest economies in the world, but also increase its GDP per capita by 1.5 times by the middle of the next decade. This is a very difficult task. I am sure we are ready to solve this problem.

The most important basic indicator of the well-being of citizens and the country is, of course, life expectancy. Let me remind you that in 2000 in Russia it was a little over 65 years, and for men it was generally less than 60. This is not just little, it is a tragedy, tragically little.

In recent years, the growth rate of average life expectancy in Russia is one of the highest in the world. We managed to achieve this. Life expectancy has increased by more than seven years to 73 years. But this, of course, is not enough. Today we must set ourselves a goal of a fundamentally new level. By the end of the next decade, Russia should confidently enter the club of "80 plus" countries, where life expectancy exceeds 80 years. This includes such countries as Japan, France, Germany.

At the same time, the duration of a healthy, active, full life, when a person is not limited, not fettered by illness, should grow at a faster pace. I am convinced that such a goal, given the positive dynamics of past years, is achievable. And for this, all of Russia, of course, will have to take a big step in its development, so that the life of every person will qualitatively change.

Dear colleagues!

We need to create a modern environment for life, transform our cities and towns. At the same time, it is important that they retain their face and historical heritage. We already have a successful experience in upgrading the urban environment and infrastructure. I want to get rid of this now. This experience is also in Kazan, in Vladivostok, in Sochi. Many regional capitals and small towns are changing. We basically learned how to do it.

I propose launching a large-scale program for the spatial development of Russia, including the development of cities and other settlements, and at least doubling spending for this purpose over the next six years.

It is clear that the development of cities and settlements is associated with a comprehensive solution of many other problems: healthcare, education, ecology, and transport. All this will also require additional funding. I will talk about this a little later in the relevant sections of the Message today.

The renewal of the urban environment should be based on the widespread introduction of advanced technologies and materials in construction, modern architectural solutions, the use of digital technologies in the operation of social facilities, public transport, utilities, which, among other things, will ensure the transparency and efficiency of the housing and communal services system so that citizens receive quality services and do not overpay for them.

Such a large-scale project is new economic and social prospects for people, a modern environment for life, for cultural and civil initiatives, for small businesses and start-ups. All this will serve to form a mass, active middle class in Russia.

A lot will depend, of course, on city and local authorities, on their openness to advanced ideas. From the readiness to respond to the requests of residents of different generations, families with children, pensioners, the disabled. The opinion of the people, what should be their city or village, should be decisive. We have spoken about this more than once, including at meetings with heads of municipalities. Today I say this not just for show, and I ask you to draw the attention of leaders at all levels to this.

It is important that urban development become a driving force for the whole country. The active, dynamic life of Russia, with its vast territory, cannot be concentrated in a few megacities. Large cities should spread their energy, serve as a support for a balanced, harmonious spatial development of all of Russia.

For this, a modern infrastructure is essential. I will say more about this separately. But it is obvious that it is precisely developed communications that will allow residents of small towns and villages to conveniently use all the opportunities and modern services that are available in large centers, and small settlements themselves will be closely integrated into the common social and economic space of Russia. At the same time, we will also support initiatives that will allow our small towns and settlements to preserve their identity, to reveal their unique potential in a new way.

We will pay special attention to the social and infrastructural development of rural areas. The Russian agro-industrial complex has already become a globally competitive industry. The life of people who ensure this success with their work should be just as modern.

Dear colleagues!

I understand how important it is for a person, for every family to have their own home, their own housing. For our country, this is a problem of problems. It stretches from decade to decade. How many times it was promised and tried, sincerely tried to solve it. And we can and must do it.

In 2017, three million families in Russia improved their living conditions. Now we need to steadily (and I would like to draw your attention to, for the first time in the history of modern Russia) reach a level where every year at least five million families improve their living conditions. It's a difficult task to jump from three million to five. We had 3.1 million last year, but we need five. But this is a solvable problem.

I see three key factors in increasing housing affordability. The first is the growth of citizens' incomes. I spoke about this, we must ensure this. Decrease in mortgage lending rates and, of course, an increase in supply in the housing market.

Let me remind you - now it has already been forgotten - that in 2001 throughout Russia, how many mortgage loans do you think were issued? Four thousand. Four thousand mortgages. The rate reached 30 percent, including in foreign currency. More than half of the loans, by the way, were issued in foreign currency. Few could take advantage of the mortgage. Last year, dear colleagues, about a million mortgage loans were issued. In December, the average rate in rubles dropped below 10 percent for the first time.

Of course, we also know this well, in each case the cost, other loan conditions are individual. But in general, we need to further reduce the average rate to 7-8 percent. We argued for a long time what number to call from this rostrum. But we need to strive, of course, to 7 percent, that's for sure. Over the next six years, mortgages should become affordable for the majority of Russian families, for the majority of working citizens, and for young professionals.

And a few more numbers. In the 50-70s of the last century, on average, about 60 million square meters of housing per year were built and commissioned in the country. By the end of the 1980s, they approached 70 million. Today, about 80 million square meters are built annually in Russia. It was, however, a little more in some years, but on average 80 million. We need to take a new height, strive to increase the volume of construction from today's 80 to 120 million square meters per year. The goal is very ambitious, but also absolutely realistic, if we keep in mind new technologies, and the experience that our construction companies have gained, and new materials. This movement from 80 to 120 is possible and necessary. I'll tell you why. If we want 5 million families to receive new housing a year, then we need to build 120 million.

People who invest their money in housing construction must be protected. From shared construction, it is necessary to gradually move to project financing, when developers and banks, and not citizens, take on the risks.

I also propose to return to the tax on property of individuals. It must be fair and affordable for citizens.

When some colleagues, including those sitting in this room, urged us, including me, to use the market value of real estate when calculating this tax, they said that the old, outdated BTI estimates are an anachronism. However, in reality, it turned out that the cadastral value, which supposedly should correspond to the market value, often significantly exceeds it. But this was not agreed upon, and people did not expect this from us.

It is necessary to clarify the mechanisms for calculating the tax, as well as determining the cadastral value of real estate. In any case, it should not exceed the real market value. All decisions must be made as quickly as possible in the first half of this year.

Dear colleagues!

In order to develop cities and towns, increase business activity, and ensure the "connectivity" of the country, we need to literally "flash" the entire territory of Russia with modern communications.

Within a few months, automobile traffic will open along the Crimean bridge, and next year, rail traffic will also open. This will give impetus to the development of Crimea and the entire Russian Black Sea region.

We have seriously upgraded the federal highways. Now we need to put in order regional and local roads. I won't name numbers now, but I know about it. The federal highways are indeed pretty much in order. Slightly worse is the situation with the regional ones. And the locals are generally useless. I appeal to the heads of regions and cities: the condition of the roads should always be in the center of your attention. It is necessary to increase the quality and volume of road construction, to use new technologies and solutions, infrastructure mortgages, life cycle contracts.

And, of course, our most important task is to improve road safety and reduce deaths as a result of traffic accidents to a minimum.

In total, over the next six years, it is necessary to practically double spending on the construction and improvement of Russian roads, and to allocate more than 11 trillion rubles for these purposes from all sources. This is a lot, bearing in mind that in 2012-2017 we allocated 6.4 trillion rubles for these purposes, which is also a big figure, but we need 11.

Powerful Eurasian transport arteries will be developed. The construction of a motor road is already underway, which will become an important part of the Europe-APR corridor. By the way, our partners from China and Kazakhstan - we are doing this together with them - have already completed their part of the work. Their sites are already in operation. And we need to seriously accelerate.

In six years, the throughput capacity of the BAM and the Trans-Siberian Railway will increase by one and a half times, up to 180 million tons. Containers will be delivered from Vladivostok to Russia's western border in seven days. This is one of the infrastructure projects that will give a quick economic return. There are cargoes there, and all investments will pay off very quickly and will contribute to the development of these territories.

The volume of transit container traffic on our railways should almost quadruple. This means that our country will be one of the world leaders in the transit of containers between Europe and Asia.

In 1990, the capacity of the ports of the entire Soviet Union reached 600 million tons. Due to the collapse of the country, we have lost almost half. In the early 2000s, the capacity of Russian ports was only 300 million tons. For 17 years we have tripled it. At the beginning of last year, for the first time in history, the total capacity of Russian ports exceeded the mark of 1 billion tons. This, as you can see on the graphs, is two-thirds more than the figures for the entire USSR. By the way, this is the figure at the beginning of the year, now it is already 1 billion 25 million tons. Grows constantly.

The key to the development of the Russian Arctic and the regions of the Far East will be the Northern Sea Route. By 2025, its cargo traffic will increase tenfold, to 80 million tons. Our task is to make it a truly global, competitive transport artery. Please note that in Soviet times they were more actively used than we were in the previous one. But we will build up and reach new frontiers. There is no doubt here.

We will continue our active policy of attracting investments and creating centers of social and economic growth in the Far East. We will create all the conditions for people to live comfortably here, to come here, so that the population of the Far Eastern regions increases.

A number of large-scale industrial projects have already been launched in the Arctic. They meet the most stringent environmental standards. We are strengthening the scientific, transport, navigation, and military infrastructure, which will make it possible to secure Russia's interests in this strategically important region. We build modern nuclear icebreakers. Our Arctic fleet was, remains and will be the most powerful in the world.

We have to reconstruct and expand the network of regional airports in Russia. In six years, half of interregional flights will be operated directly. The situation when you even need to fly to neighboring regions through Moscow will largely remain in the past. We are already doing this. This applies to both the aviation component and the airport component.

Based on the Spatial Development Strategy, it is necessary to prepare a comprehensive plan for the modernization and expansion of the entire backbone infrastructure of the country. I consider this one of the priorities for the future government.

Russia should become not only a key logistics and transport hub of the planet, but also, I emphasize, one of the world's centers for storing, processing, transmitting and reliably protecting information arrays, the so-called big data.

In general, when developing infrastructure, it is imperative to take into account global technological changes, that is, already today, concrete solutions are included in projects that will allow combining infrastructure with unmanned vehicles, digital maritime and air navigation, and organize logistics using artificial intelligence.

It is also necessary to introduce new technologies for generating, storing and transmitting energy. In the next six years, it is planned to attract about 1.5 trillion rubles of private investment in the renewal of the domestic electric power industry. Across the country, electric power systems should switch to a digital mode of operation. With the help of the so-called distributed generation, it is necessary to solve the issue of energy supply to remote areas.

By 2024, we will provide fast Internet access almost everywhere. The construction of fiber-optic communication lines will be completed to most settlements with a population of more than 250 people, and remote, small settlements in the Far North, Siberia and the Far East will receive stable access via a network of Russian satellites.

With the help of advanced telecommunications, we will open up all the possibilities of the digital world to our citizens. And these are not only modern services, online education, telemedicine, which is extremely important in itself, we understand this. But, in addition, people will be able to create scientific, volunteer teams, project groups, companies in the digital space. For our vast country across the territory, such a combination of talents, competencies, and ideas is a colossal breakthrough resource.

Dear colleagues!

The most important task that concerns everyone is the availability of modern, high-quality medical care. We must be guided here by the highest world standards.

In 2019-2024, the development of the health system from all sources will require an annual average of more than 4 percent of GDP. But you need to strive, of course, to 5 percent. In absolute terms, this would mean that total health spending should double. At the same time, it is necessary to find additional opportunities for financing that would not hold back economic growth.

I would like to thank the doctors, paramedics, nurses for the difficult and necessary work. Very, very much rests on these people, as well as on teachers, educators, cultural workers, and they should receive decent wages.

A lot was done during the implementation of the May 2012 decrees. I must say that there are some shortcomings, but in general, no matter how high the standards of these decrees were raised, if they were not there, then there would be no results that we have today. Ambitious goals should always be set.

And here we must not deviate from the milestones already achieved, I mean now the level of wages. The size of salaries in the public sector should continue to grow, as well as the quality of work, the level of training of specialists in healthcare, education, and other areas that determine the well-being of people.

In recent years, the network of medical institutions has been optimized. This was done in order to build an effective health care system. But in a number of cases, I am simply compelled to say this today, they have clearly become carried away with administrative changes: they have begun to close medical institutions in small towns and villages. They did not offer any alternatives, they left people with practically no medical care, offering nothing in return. One piece of advice: "Go to the city - get treated there!" This is absolutely unacceptable, I mean. They forgot about the main thing - about people. about their interests and needs. Finally, about equal opportunities and justice.

This should not be the case in healthcare or any other field. It is necessary to ensure, and where necessary, to restore truly walking distance in primary health care. After all, you can do it, but you had to do it from the very beginning, when you were doing the transformation.

Now we need to do it as soon as possible. In settlements with a population of 100 to 2,000 people, feldsher-obstetric stations and outpatient clinics should be created during 2018-2020. And for settlements where less than 100 people live, we also have such ones, to organize mobile medical complexes, vehicles with off-road capability, with all the necessary diagnostic equipment.

It is necessary to control the execution of these tasks. I consider them extremely important. And I also ask the All-Russian Popular Front to be in contact with citizens, to monitor the situation on the ground. At the same time, polyclinics and feldsher-obstetric stations, regional health care institutions and leading medical centers should be connected into a single digital circuit so that the forces of the entire national health system are involved in helping each person.

The most important task is the prevention of diseases. In the 1990s, such work was practically not carried out. We started to restore it. It is necessary to provide all citizens with a real opportunity to undergo a quality preventive examination at least once a year. This is also important for cultivating a responsible attitude towards one's own health.

Modern diagnostics will reduce mortality in working age, consolidate the positive dynamics in the fight against diseases of the cardiovascular system. We have, there has been such a dynamic, it is very good. But this should also force such a threat as cancer to recede.

I think that, dear colleagues, almost every one of us has relatives, friends, who have been overtaken by this misfortune - cancer. I propose to implement a special nationwide program to combat cancer, actively involve science, the domestic pharmaceutical industry in solving this problem, modernize cancer centers, build a modern integrated system, from early diagnosis to timely effective treatment, which will protect people. We have a positive experience. According to all the key indicators that demonstrate the effectiveness of oncological care - and specialists know them well - we must reach the modern, highest level we need.

Dear colleagues!

To save the health of people, the efforts of medicine alone will not be enough. Throughout Russia, we must ensure high standards of environmental well-being.

It is difficult to talk about a long and healthy life if millions of people are still forced to drink water that does not meet the standards, if black snow falls, as in Krasnoyarsk, and residents of large industrial centers do not see the sun for weeks due to smog, as in Cherepovets, Nizhny Tagil, Chelyabinsk, Novokuznetsk and some other cities.

We have now tightened environmental requirements for enterprises, which will certainly reduce industrial emissions. From 2019, 300 industrial enterprises with a significant negative impact on the environment should switch to environmentally friendly, best available technologies, and from 2021, all enterprises with a high environmental risk category should do so.

We've been to this projectile many times, and industry has kept referring to the difficulties they face. Everything, there is nowhere to retreat. I want everyone to know that there will be no more transfers.

It will also be necessary to modernize thermal power plants, boiler houses, public utilities, to relieve cities from transit traffic flows through the construction of bypasses, and to use environmentally friendly types of public transport. Today, in Russia, state authorities and social activists have identified about 22 thousand landfills. We need to solve this problem and, first of all, at least clean up and reclaim landfills within the city.

The quality of drinking water needs to be improved significantly. In some small towns, it is still served by the hour. It is important to involve the technologies available in the military-industrial complex in solving these problems.

Projects will be implemented to preserve the unique natural systems of Lake Baikal, Lake Teletskoye, as well as the entire Volga basin, which will directly affect the improvement of the quality of life for almost half of the population of Russia.

24 new nature reserves and national parks will open. It is necessary to make them accessible for ecological tourism, which is important for fostering a careful, responsible attitude towards nature.

Dear colleagues!

2018 has been declared the Year of the Volunteer in Russia, and it is symbolic that this year began with the adoption of a law that establishes the obligation of all levels of government to assist volunteers. Today, active, caring citizens, socially oriented NGOs are actively involved in solving the most important problems. It is the involvement of people in the affairs of the country and civic activity, as well as cultural, moral, spiritual values, that make us a single people capable of achieving great goals.

It is extremely important to preserve one's identity in a turbulent age of technological change, and here it is impossible to overestimate the role of culture, which is our nationwide civilizational code, reveals creative principles in a person.

I propose launching a program to create cultural, educational and museum complexes in the regions. They will include concert halls, theatrical, musical, choreographic and other creative schools, as well as exhibition spaces where the country's leading museums will be able to deploy their expositions. Why keep so many works of art in storerooms? These should be real centers of cultural life, open to young people, for people of all ages. The first such project will be implemented in Vladivostok. Then we will select other regions and cities of the country.

Dear colleagues! Our children dream of a Russia looking to the future. There are a lot of sincere, I would say, heartfelt words in school essays on this topic. Bold dreams always work for a big goal, and we must reveal the talent that every child has, help him realize his aspirations. The future of Russia is formed in the classrooms. The school must respond to the challenges of the time, and then the country will be ready to respond to them.

International experts acknowledge that our elementary school is already one of the strongest in the world. We will continue active work on the development of our general education, and at all levels. At the same time, I would like to emphasize that modern, high-quality education should be available to every child. Equal educational opportunities are a powerful resource for the development of the country and ensuring social justice.

It is necessary to move to fundamentally new, including individual learning technologies, to instill readiness for change, to creative search, to teach teamwork, which is very important in the modern world, life skills in the digital age from an early age. We will definitely support talented teachers aimed at constant professional growth. And, of course, we need to build an open, modern system for the selection and training of managerial personnel and school directors. The formation of strong pedagogical teams and the atmosphere in the school largely depend on them.

We will continue to strengthen a holistic system of support and development of the creative abilities and talents of our children. Such a system should cover the entire territory of the country, integrate the capabilities of such sites as Sirius, Quantoriums, centers for additional education and children's creativity in all regions of Russia.

We need to build a modern career guidance. Universities, research teams, and successful companies should become partners here. I propose to launch a project of early vocational guidance for schoolchildren "Ticket to the Future" from the new academic year. It will allow the guys to try themselves in business, in their future profession in the leading companies of the country. Already this year, we are allocating 1 billion rubles for this initiative.

I consider the development of the mentoring movement to be a significant task. Only in this way, by combining advanced knowledge and moral foundations, ensuring genuine partnership and mutual understanding of generations, we can be strong.

Dear colleagues!

Today, the most important competitive advantage is knowledge, technology, and competence. This is the key to a real breakthrough, to improving the quality of life.

In the shortest possible time, we need to create an advanced legislative framework, remove all barriers to the development and widespread use of robotics, artificial intelligence, unmanned vehicles, e-commerce, and big data processing technologies. Moreover, such a regulatory framework should be constantly updated, based on a flexible approach to each area and technology.

We are also well positioned to rapidly implement 5G data networks and IoT communications technologies.

We need to form our own digital platforms, naturally compatible with the global information space. This will allow organizing production processes, financial services and logistics in a new way, including using the "distributed ledger" technology, which is very important for financial transactions, for accounting for property rights, and so on. This has a practical dimension.

We need to arrange the development and localization of key technologies and solutions, including for the development of the Arctic and the sea shelf, for new systems in the energy sector, in transport and in the urban economy. For areas that determine the quality of life, such as modern rehabilitation facilities for people with disabilities.

We are obliged to support high-tech companies, build a favorable environment for start-ups, for the rapid introduction of new developments into production. We are talking about convenient infrastructure, comfortable tax regimes, intellectual property protection, technical regulation and venture financing.

Our technological development must be based on a strong foundation of fundamental science. In recent years, we have been able to seriously increase its potential, and we have reached the forefront in a number of areas. A great merit here belongs to the Russian Academy of Sciences, our leading research institutes.

Relying on the backlog of past years, including in the research infrastructure, we need to reach a fundamentally new level. In Gatchina and Dubna, projects of modern mega-science research facilities are already being implemented. Recently, the Council for Science and Education decided to create a powerful synchrotron accelerator in Novosibirsk Akademgorodok and a new generation accelerator in Protvino near Moscow.

As a result, the Russian research infrastructure will be one of the most powerful and efficient in the world. Its use will give our research teams and high-tech companies serious competitive advantages, for example, in the creation of modern medicines, new materials, and the element base of microelectronics.

And of course, such an infrastructure, ambitious scientific projects will attract our compatriots and scientists from other countries. In this regard, it is necessary to promptly form a legal basis for the work of international research teams in Russia.

Powerful scientific and educational centers should operate in full force. They will integrate the capabilities of universities, academic institutions, high-tech companies. Such centers are already being formed in Kazan and Samara, Tomsk and Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg and Tyumen, Vladivostok and Kaliningrad and other cities.

It is important to focus them on the implementation of major interdisciplinary projects, including in such a promising area as genomic research. A cardinal breakthrough in this direction will open the way to the creation of new methods for diagnosing, preventing and combating many diseases, and will expand the possibilities in breeding and agriculture.

It is necessary to consolidate the superiority of the national mathematical school. This is a strong competitive advantage in the era of the digital economy. International mathematical centers will also become platforms for such work. Today they are already operating in Kazan and Novosibirsk. As part of the decisions we have made, we will open them in St. Petersburg, Moscow and, additionally, in Sochi.

Russian youth is already proving its leadership both in science and in other areas. Last year, schoolchildren won 38 medals at international olympiads. Our teams triumphantly won Olympiads in natural sciences and robotics, won the world championship in professional skills, and our students became the strongest in programming for the twelfth time.

Based on the best practices and experience, we need to quickly modernize the system of vocational education, achieve qualitative changes in the training of students, primarily in advanced areas of technological development, form an "applied bachelor's degree" for those working professions that actually require engineering education, as well as to organize advanced professional retraining and advanced training centers for already working citizens.

I also propose creating the most convenient and attractive conditions for talented young people from other countries to come to study at our universities. They are coming. But we need to create conditions for the best foreign graduates of our universities to remain working in Russia. This fully applies to foreign scientists and qualified specialists.

I think that it is necessary to seriously improve the procedure for granting citizenship of the Russian Federation. The focus should be on those who the country needs: young, healthy, well-educated people. For them, it is necessary to create a simplified system for obtaining citizenship in Russia.

Dear colleagues!

In order to ensure breakthrough development, bring education and healthcare, the quality of the urban environment and infrastructure to a new level, in the next six years we will need to allocate significant additional financial resources for these purposes.

Question: due to what? How are you planning to raise these funds? First of all, we need to clearly prioritize and improve the efficiency of public spending. Energetic attraction of private resources to finance large projects. Also, the future government will have to form new tax conditions as soon as possible. They must be stable and fixed for the coming years.

Let me emphasize that we need fiscal solutions that will ensure the replenishment of budgets, and at all levels, as well as the fulfillment of all social obligations, and at the same time will not restrain, but stimulate economic growth. It is the buildup of the economic potential of the country, of each region that is the main source of additional resources. To do this, we need an economy with growth rates above the world. Not an easy task. But this is not a good wish, but a basic condition for a breakthrough in solving social, infrastructural, defense and other tasks. Achieving such growth rates should be a key benchmark for the new Government.

In recent years, we have strengthened the stability of the national economy. The dependence of the economy and the budget on fluctuations in energy prices has significantly decreased. We have increased the volume of gold and foreign exchange reserves. Inflation dropped to a record low of just over two percent. Of course, you and I understand that prices for a number of essential goods remain substantially higher. This needs to be strictly monitored, closely monitored, including by the antimonopoly service. But in general, such a low level of inflation provides additional opportunities for development. Let me remind you that back in 2015, quite recently, inflation was almost 13 percent - 12.9 percent.

In Russia today, in fact, a new macroeconomic reality has been formed, with low inflation and overall economic stability. For citizens, this is a condition for the growth of real incomes, lowering the cost of mortgages. For business - predictability in work and cheaper credit. Business must also adapt, get used to these new macroeconomic conditions. And, finally, it allows attracting long-term borrowings and private investments in large-scale infrastructure projects.

Now we have the opportunity, without accelerating inflation, while maintaining a very careful and responsible approach, to gradually reduce interest rates and increase the availability of credit. Here I count on the support of the Bank of Russia, that when making its decisions, implementing monetary policy measures, developing financial markets, it will work in contact with the government in the interests of the common goal of creating conditions for increasing economic growth rates.

In order to further change the structure of the national economy and increase its competitiveness, it is necessary to use the sources of growth at a fundamentally different level. Where are they? First of all, to increase labor productivity on a new technological, managerial and personnel basis. In this respect, we are still far behind.

It is necessary to ensure that labor productivity at medium and large enterprises in the basic sectors (these are industry, construction, transport, agriculture and trade) grows at a rate of at least 5 percent per year, which will allow reaching the level of the world's leading economies by the end of the next decade.

I would like to emphasize that an increase in labor productivity means an increase in wages and, consequently, in consumer demand. This, in turn, is an additional driver for economic development.

All our actions should encourage companies to release technically sophisticated products, to introduce more efficient technologies. It is necessary to make an inventory of subsidies and other instruments of direct support for industries, and aim them at creating competitive goods.

The second source of growth is increased investment. We have already set the task of bringing them to 25 percent of GDP, and then to 27 percent. The problem, unfortunately, has not been solved yet. To ensure sustainable growth, we need to do it, do it at all costs. I expect that the new government, together with the Bank of Russia, will present a specific plan of action in this area.

Investments should go primarily to the modernization and technological re-equipment of production facilities, the renewal of industry. We need to ensure the highest dynamics here, reach a level where, on average, every second enterprise carries out technological changes during the year. Then the renewal of the economy and industry will be noticeable.

The third large-scale reserve of economic growth is the development of small business. By the middle of the next decade, its contribution to the country's GDP should approach 40 percent, and the number of people employed here will grow from 19 to 25 million people.

One of the key problems that worries entrepreneurs is that it is difficult to access financial resources. Now the government is implementing a program under which small manufacturing businesses can take out a loan at an effective rate of 6.5 percent. I believe that it must be continued, and most importantly, to ensure the real availability of such a support tool.

And finally, another source of growth is the development of non-commodity exports. It is necessary to remove all administrative barriers here, to create the most favorable treatment for those companies that enter foreign markets.

Within six years, we must practically double the volume of non-primary, non-energy exports to $250 billion, including bringing deliveries of engineering products to $50 billion. The annual export of services, including education, medicine, tourism, and transport, should grow to $100 billion.

Back in the early 2000s, we were seriously dependent on imported food supplies. The situation has changed radically. Now we have to take the next step. In four years, we plan to supply more food to world markets than we import into the country. At the same time, it is necessary to increase the export of meat products, high value-added goods, as well as to increase the country's self-sufficiency in beef, milk, and vegetables.

I want to emphasize that the development of the agro-industrial complex, of course, is largely associated with large-scale commodity production, but this should not go to the detriment of the interests of small farms, the people who work in them. We must support family businesses, farmers. We will develop agricultural cooperation, create conditions for the growth of incomes of residents of rural areas. Here and there, we see, I know it, some problems flare up connected with the interests of people and with the fact that these interests are affected. You need to be very careful about this.

Nevertheless, I want to once again thank the workers of the agro-industrial complex for the record [grain] harvest in the entire history of the country - 134 million tons. Note that this is more than the record harvest in the Soviet Union. In 1978, the previous achievement was recorded - 127.4 million tons. Now we regularly reach yields of over 100 million tons.

It is clear that such a high yield has a downside. Prices dropped, storage and transportation problems arose. To support our producers, until July 1, 2018, preferential tariffs are provided for the transportation of grain by rail.

It is necessary to work out the extension of this measure, without fail, for the next grain seasons, as well as to provide for additional purchases in the regions of the Urals and Siberia, remote from ports, and in general to help those who are ready and want to process on the spot. The value added needs to be increased. And then go further into animal husbandry with this product. We will definitely discuss these and other issues raised by the agro-industrial complex workers at the upcoming forum of agricultural producers in March and, based on the results, we will formulate additional measures to support the industry.

Dear colleagues!

In order for the economy to work at full capacity, we need to radically improve the business climate, ensure the highest level of entrepreneurial freedom and competition.

I would like to point out a principled position here. The share of the state in the economy should gradually decrease. In this regard, I would like to note that recently, as a result of the recovery of the banking system (and this is a very correct process, I support it), a number of financial assets have come under the control of the state. But you need to vigorously bring them to the market and sell them.

Everything should be removed that allows unscrupulous, corrupt representatives of the authorities and law enforcement agencies to put pressure on business. The Criminal Code should cease to be an instrument for resolving economic conflicts between legal entities. Such disputes should be transferred to the administrative and arbitration plane.

I ask the working group on monitoring and analysis of law enforcement practice in the field of entrepreneurship with the participation of the Supreme Court, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, representatives of the business community to prepare specific proposals on this matter. With kondachka such questions are not solved. But they must be considered, taken out for a decision and decided. This must be done as quickly as possible.

At the same time, on the contrary, the norms of criminal law should act strictly in relation to crimes against the interests of citizens, society, and economic freedoms. This is an encroachment on the property and funds of citizens, raider seizures, violation of competition, tax evasion and embezzlement of budget funds.

Another important topic. The number of inspections of various kinds formally seems to be decreasing, but in the course of meetings with businesses, we hear that no fundamental changes have taken place yet. It is necessary to make sure that the appearance of controllers at enterprises becomes an exception. This is justified only at high-risk facilities. In other cases, remote control methods should be used. Within two years, it is necessary to transfer the entire control and supervision system to a risk-based approach. Let me remind you that the legislative base for this has been formed.

It is important to support start-up entrepreneurs, to help people take the first step so that they can open their own business with just one click, make mandatory payments, receive services, loans remotely, via the Internet.

Individual entrepreneurs, self-employed citizens who use such digital services should be completely exempted from reporting, making paying taxes for them a simple transaction that takes place automatically. As for entrepreneurs who use cash registers, their tax reporting should be drastically simplified. You know, this is all such a routine, at first glance, but this routine does not allow us to move forward energetically. Everything needs to be done to clear this space. I will add that the active introduction of digital technologies and platforms will make it possible to consistently move towards increasing transparency and whitewashing the economy.

I would now like to address all representatives of Russian business, those who run their own small businesses, family businesses, farms, run an innovative company, a large industrial enterprise. I know, I know that we still have a lot to do. And, I assure you, we will do everything so that our entrepreneurs have new opportunities to expand production, to open companies, to create modern jobs. But at the same time, I hope that Russian business will increase its contribution to the breakthrough development of the country, and respect for entrepreneurial work in society will grow. It is very important.

Dear colleagues! We need not only to build modern services for business, but also to make the system of interaction between the state and society, between the state and the citizen, understandable, convenient and comfortable.

We have already deployed a network of multifunctional centers. A person anywhere in the country can now receive public services on a one-stop basis. Let me remind you that this was a special program. We have developed and implemented it.

We need to move forward, within six years to ensure the provision of almost all public services in real time, using remote services. Also, it is necessary to digitize the document flow between government agencies, which is important both for the government agencies themselves and for citizens, so as not to run around the Internet later and not search. You can get everything in one place. I will add that the digitalization of the entire system of public administration, increasing its transparency is also a powerful factor in combating corruption.

Officials at all levels should be interested in increasing their efficiency and be rigidly focused on obtaining a specific result. By the way, we talk about corruption and officials all the time. I must say and I have no right not to say this: the vast majority of people who work in the management system are honest, decent and result-oriented people. But what I have said will help everyone, including those who work in the state apparatus and citizens who use public services. It is in this logic that it is necessary to rebuild the entire system of public service, where it is expedient, to introduce project methods of work.

Of course, it is necessary to ensure the promotion of modern professional personnel in the state and municipal service, in business, in the economy, science, production, in all areas.

As you know, the first Leaders of Russia competition has already taken place, and a number of other projects are being implemented to support young workers, entrepreneurs, innovators, volunteers, schoolchildren and students. They have already united hundreds of thousands of young people from all regions and have become an important step in their lives and professional careers.

I want to emphasize that for everyone who wants to work, prove himself, who is ready to honestly serve the Fatherland and the people, and achieve success, Russia will always be a country of opportunity. This is the guarantee of our successful development and confident movement forward.

All the projects and priorities that I spoke about today: spatial development, investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and the environment, new technologies and science, measures to support the economy, promotion of talents, youth - all this is designed to work for one, strategic task - a breakthrough development of Russia.

At the same time, of course, we cannot forget about the reliable provision of its security.

Dear colleagues!

The Syrian operation showed the increased capabilities of the Russian Armed Forces. In recent years, a lot of work has been done to strengthen the army and navy. Equipping the Armed Forces with modern weapons has increased 3.7 times. More than 300 new models of military equipment have been adopted for service. The strategic nuclear forces received 80 new intercontinental ballistic missiles, 102 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and 3 Borei strategic missile submarines. 12 missile regiments have been re-equipped with the new Yars missile system. The number of carriers of high-precision long-range weapons has increased by more than 12 times, and high-precision cruise missiles - by more than 30 times. The power of general-purpose forces, the Aerospace Forces and the Navy has grown significantly.

The whole country and the whole world now know the names of our latest aircraft, submarines, air defense systems, sea, air and land-based missile systems. All these are the latest high-tech weapons of the last time. Along the perimeter of Russia's borders (very important!) a continuous radar field of a missile attack warning system has been created. After the collapse of the USSR, huge "holes" appeared. Everything is restored.

A qualitative breakthrough has been made in the development of unmanned aircraft, the National Defense Control Center of the Russian Federation has been created, and the operational command of the far sea zone has been formed. The number of servicemen under the contract has increased by 2.4 times, the staffing of the Armed Forces has been increased from 70 percent to 95-100 percent, and the long-term queue for permanent housing has been eliminated. The waiting period has been reduced by 6 times.

Now about the main thing in this part, in the "Defense" section.

We will talk about the latest Russian strategic weapons systems that we are creating in response to the unilateral withdrawal of the United States of America from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and the practical deployment of this system both on the territory of the United States and beyond its national borders.

I must here make a small digression into the recent past.

Back in 2000, the United States raised the issue of withdrawing the United States from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. Russia was categorically against it. We proceeded from the premise that the Soviet-American ABM Treaty of 1972 was the cornerstone of the international security system. According to this agreement, each of the parties had the right to deploy on its territory only one area that protected it from a missile attack. In Russia, such a system was deployed around Moscow, in the United States - around the Grand Forks ground-based missile base.

Along with the Treaty on the Limitation of Strategic Nuclear Offensive Arms, this agreement not only created a certain atmosphere of trust, but also guaranteed against the thoughtless use of nuclear weapons by one of the parties, which is dangerous for all mankind, since the limited missile defense systems made a potential aggressor vulnerable to a retaliatory strike.

We have been persuading the Americans for a long time not to destroy the ABM Treaty, not to disturb the strategic balance. Everything is in vain. In 2002, the United States unilaterally withdrew from this treaty. But even after that, we tried for a long time to establish a constructive dialogue with them. It was proposed to establish joint work in this area in order to remove concerns and maintain an atmosphere of trust. At some point it seemed to me that a compromise could be found, but no. All our proposals, namely all our proposals, were rejected. We declared then that we would be forced to improve modern strike systems in order to ensure our own security. In response, we were told: "The United States is creating a global missile defense system not against you, not against Russia, but you do what you want. We will proceed from the fact that this is not against us, not against the United States."

Where this position came from is generally clear. After the collapse of the USSR, Russia, which in Soviet times was called the Soviet Union - that's what they called it abroad, Soviet Russia - in terms of our national borders, lost 23.8 percent of the territory, 48.5 percent of the population, 41 percent of the gross social product, 39.4 percent of the industrial potential (I draw your attention, almost half), 44.6 percent of the military potential in connection with the division of the Armed Forces of the USSR between the former Soviet republics. Equipment in the Russian army was becoming obsolete, the Armed Forces themselves were, frankly, in a deplorable state. A civil war was going on in the Caucasus, and American inspectors were sitting at our leading uranium enrichment enterprises.

The question at one time was not even about whether we could develop a strategic weapons system, some wondered whether our country was generally able to safely maintain and maintain nuclear weapons that we inherited after the collapse of the USSR. Russia was all in debt, without loans from the IMF and the World Bank, the economy did not work, it was impossible to support the social sphere.

Apparently, our partners have formed a strong opinion that the revival of the economy, industry, the military-industrial complex and the Armed Forces of our country to a level that provides the necessary strategic potential is impossible in the foreseeable historical future. And if this is so, then there is no point in considering the opinion of Russia, you need to go further and achieve a final unilateral military advantage, and then dictate your terms in all other areas.

In principle, such a position, such logic, based on the realities of that time, can be understood, we ourselves are to blame for this. All these years, all 15 years after the US withdrew from the ABM Treaty, we have been persistently trying to bring the Americans back to serious discussion, reaching agreements in the field of strategic stability.

Something has been done. In 2010, the START III Treaty was signed between Russia and the United States on measures to further reduce and limit strategic offensive arms. However, with the implementation of plans to build a global missile defense system, which continues now, all agreements under START III are gradually devalued, because with the reduction of carriers and warheads simultaneously and uncontrollably by one of the parties, namely the United States, the number of interceptor missiles is increasing, their quality is improving. characteristics, new positional areas are being created, which in the end, if we do nothing, will lead to a complete depreciation of the Russian nuclear potential. Well, he'll just be intercepted, that's all.

Despite our numerous protests and appeals, the American machine started working, the conveyor went on. There are already missile defense systems in Alaska and California, as a result of NATO's expansion to the east, two missile defense areas have appeared in Eastern Europe: in Romania it has already been created, in Poland it is being deployed. The range of anti-missiles used will grow, it is planned to deploy them in Japan and South Korea. The US global missile defense system also includes a naval grouping - five cruisers and 30 destroyers, as far as we know, deployed in areas in close proximity to Russian territory. I am not exaggerating anything here, the work is still in full swing today.

And what have we done, apart from protests and warnings? How did Russia respond to this challenge? Here's what.

All these years after the US unilateral withdrawal from the ABM Treaty, we have been hard at work on advanced equipment and weapons. This allowed us to take a swift, big step in the creation of new models of strategic weapons.

Let me remind you that the US global missile defense system is being created mainly to combat strategic missiles flying along a ballistic trajectory. These weapons form the backbone of our Nuclear Deterrent Force. As well as, however, and other states of the "nuclear club".

In this regard, Russia has developed and is constantly improving very modestly priced, but highly effective systems for overcoming missile defense, which are equipped with all of our intercontinental ballistic missile systems.

In addition, we have begun to develop a new generation of missiles. In particular, at present, the Ministry of Defense, together with enterprises in the rocket and space industry, has begun an active phase of testing a new missile system with a heavy intercontinental missile. We named it "Sarmat".

This missile system will replace the Voevoda complex, which was created back in the Soviet Union. Everyone has always recognized his high combat power. Our foreign colleagues, as you know, even gave it a very threatening name.

But the capabilities of the Sarmat missile are much higher. With a weight of over 200 tons, it has a short active flight segment, which makes it difficult to intercept it by missile defense systems. The range of the new heavy missile, the number and power of warheads is greater than that of the Voyevoda. "Sarmat" will be equipped with a wide range of high-yield nuclear weapons, including hypersonic ones, and the most modern systems to overcome missile defense. High protection characteristics of launchers and high energy capabilities will ensure the use of this complex in any environment.

Show the video, please. (Video is shown.)

Voevoda has a range of 11 thousand kilometers, the new system has practically no range restrictions.

As can be seen from the video footage, it is capable of attacking targets through both the North and South Poles. "Sarmat" is a very formidable weapon, due to its characteristics, no, even promising missile defense systems, can interfere with it.

But we didn't stop there. We have begun developing new types of strategic weapons that do not use ballistic flight paths at all when moving towards the target, which means that missile defense systems are useless and simply pointless in the fight against them.

Russia's promising weapons systems are based on the latest unique achievements of our scientists, designers and engineers. One of them is the creation of a small-sized heavy-duty nuclear power plant, which is located in the body of a cruise missile like our latest air-launched Kh-101 missile or the American Tomahawk, but at the same time provides dozens of times - dozens of times! - a large flight range, which is practically unlimited. A low-flying, stealthy cruise missile carrying a nuclear warhead, with a practically unlimited range, an unpredictable flight path and the ability to bypass interception lines, is invulnerable to all existing and future systems, both missile defense and air defense. I will say these words more than once today.

At the end of 2017, the latest Russian cruise missile with a nuclear power plant was successfully launched at the Central Test Range of the Russian Federation. During the flight, the power plant reached the specified power, provided the required level of thrust.

The missile launch and the complex of ground tests make it possible to move on to the creation of a fundamentally new type of weapon - a strategic nuclear weapon complex with a missile equipped with a nuclear power plant.

Detour of defense lines is shown. Since the range is not limited, she can maneuver as long as she likes.

As you understand, no one else in the world has anything like it yet. Someday, probably, it will appear, but during this time our guys will come up with something else.

Further. It is well known that unmanned weapon systems are being actively designed and created in the world. I can say that Russia has developed unmanned underwater vehicles capable of moving at great depths (you know, I would say at very great depths) and at intercontinental ranges at a speed that is a multiple of the speed of submarines, the most modern torpedoes and all types, even the most high-speed surface ships. It's just fantastic. They have low noise, high maneuverability and are practically invulnerable to the enemy. Means that can resist them, today in the world simply does not exist.

Unmanned underwater vehicles can be equipped with both conventional and nuclear weapons. This will allow them to hit a wide range of targets, including aircraft carrier groups, coastal fortifications and infrastructure.

In December 2017, a multi-year cycle of testing an innovative nuclear power plant to equip this autonomous uninhabited vehicle was fully completed. The nuclear installation has a uniquely small size and, at the same time, an ultra-high power-to-weight ratio. With a volume one hundred times smaller than that of modern nuclear submarines, it has more power and 200 times less time to enter combat mode, that is, to maximum power.

The results of the tests carried out gave us the opportunity to start creating a fundamentally new type of strategic weapon equipped with high-yield nuclear munitions.

Video please. (Video is shown.)

Incidentally, the conventional names for these two new types of Russia's strategic weapons - a global-range cruise missile and an unmanned underwater vehicle - have not yet been chosen. We are waiting for proposals on the websites of the Ministry of Defense.

It is well known that countries with a high level of scientific potential and advanced technologies are actively developing so-called hypersonic weapons. Supersonic speed is measured, as you know, with swings in honor of the Austrian scientist Ernst Mach, who was engaged in research in this area. One move - 1062 kilometers per hour at an altitude of 11 kilometers. One speed of sound - one max, from one to five - supersonic, from five or more - hypersonic. The possession of such weapons, of course, gives serious advantages in the field of armed struggle. Its power, power, as military experts say, can be enormous, and its speed makes it invulnerable to today's missile defense and air defense systems, since anti-missiles, in a simple way, simply cannot catch up with them. In this regard, it is understandable why the leading armies of the world strive to have such an ideal weapon for today.

Dear friends! Russia has such weapons. Has already.

The most important step in modern weapons systems was the creation of a high-precision hypersonic aviation missile system, which, as you already understood for sure, has no analogues in the world. Its tests have been successfully completed, and, moreover, from December 1 last year, the complex began to carry out experimental combat duty at the airfields of the Southern Military District.

The unique flight performance of a high-speed carrier aircraft makes it possible to deliver a missile to the drop point in a matter of minutes. At the same time, a missile flying at a hypersonic speed ten times the speed of sound also maneuvers in all parts of the flight path, which also allows it to reliably overcome all existing and, I think, promising anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense systems, delivering to the target at range of more than two thousand kilometers nuclear and conventional warheads. We called this system "Dagger".

Video please. (Video is shown.)

But that's not all I'm going to talk about today.

A real technological breakthrough is the creation of a promising strategic missile system with a fundamentally new combat equipment - a gliding winged unit, the tests of which have also been successfully completed. I repeat once again that we have repeatedly told our American and European partners - NATO members that we will take the necessary measures to neutralize the threats that arise for us in connection with the deployment of the US global missile defense system. We talked about this during the negotiations, and even publicly. Back in 2004, after the exercises of the strategic nuclear forces, during which the system that I am now talking about was tested for the first time, I said at a meeting with the press. It's embarrassing to quote myself, but it would just be appropriate today. So, it was said: “In the context of the qualitative and quantitative growth of the military potential of other states of Russia, a breakthrough is needed in order to have weapons and equipment of a new generation. In this regard, I can inform you with satisfaction that as a result of the experiments carried out during these exercises , positively ending experiments, we were finally convinced and confirmed that in the near future, the latest technical systems will be put into service with the Russian army, strategic missile forces, which are able to hit targets at intercontinental depths with hypersonic speed and high accuracy, with the possibility of deep maneuver both in height and course. I must say that in what has just been said, every word matters. At the moment, no country in the world has such weapons systems." End of quote.

Of course, every word matters, because it was about the possibility of bypassing interception lines. Why did we do all this? Why did we say this? As you can see, we did not make any secret of our plans, but spoke about it openly and in order, first of all, to induce our partners to negotiations. I repeat, it was 2004. It is even surprising, but despite all the problems that we faced in the economy, in finance, in the defense industry, in the army, Russia still remained and remains the largest nuclear power. No, no one really wanted to talk to us, no one listened to us. Listen now.

So, this system differs from the existing types of combat equipment by the ability to fly in dense layers of the atmosphere to an intercontinental range at a hypersonic speed exceeding the Mach number by more than 20 times.

When moving towards the target, the gliding winged unit, as I said in 2004, performs deep maneuvering, both lateral (moreover, for several thousand kilometers) and in height. This makes it absolutely invulnerable to any means of air defense and missile defense.

The use of new composite materials made it possible to solve the problem of a long-term controlled flight of a gliding wing unit practically under conditions of plasma formation. He goes to the goal like a meteorite, like a burning ball, like a fireball. The temperature on the surface of the product reaches 1600-2000 degrees Celsius, while the winged unit is reliably controlled.

Video please. (Video is shown.)

For obvious reasons, today we cannot show the true appearance, the true appearance of this product. Even that matters today, a serious matter. I think everyone understands this. But I assure you, all this is available and works well. Moreover, Russian industrial enterprises have begun serial production of this system - this is another new type of Russian strategic weapon. We named it "Vanguard".

We are also well aware that a number of states are working on the creation of promising weapons based on new physical principles. There is every reason to believe that here we are one step ahead. At least where it matters most.

Thus, significant results have been achieved in the creation of laser weapons. And this is no longer just a theory or projects, and not even just the start of production. Combat laser systems have already been delivered to the troops since last year.

I do not want to go into details in this part, it's just not the time yet. But experts will understand that the presence of such combat systems multiplies Russia's capabilities, namely, multiples, in the field of ensuring its security.

Watch a short video. (Video is shown.)

For those who are interested in military technology, I would also like to suggest, I would ask them to suggest a name for this new technology, this newest complex.

Of course, we will still be engaged in fine-tuning, development, and improvement of our latest weapon systems. And, of course, today I have not spoken about all of our achievements and promising developments. But enough for today.

I would like to emphasize that the prototypes of new strategic weapons, in fact, new types of strategic weapons, that have been created and are being created, are not a legacy of the times of the Soviet Union. In the course of our work, of course, we relied on some of the ideas of our brilliant predecessors, but all that I have said today is the latest developments of recent years, this is the result of the efforts of dozens, dozens of scientific organizations, design bureaus, and institutes. Quietly, modestly, without any self-admiration, with full dedication of energy and for many years, thousands, namely thousands of our specialists, wonderful scientists, designers, engineers, talented workers passionate about their work, worked on this quietly, modestly, without any self-admiration. There are many young people among them. All of them, as well as our military personnel, who demonstrated the best qualities of the Russian army in combat conditions, all of them are the real heroes of our time. I would like to turn to each of them now and say: of course, there will be prizes, awards, and honorary titles, but I know that I have met many of you personally that you are not working for awards. The main thing is to reliably ensure the security of the Fatherland and our people. And as the head of the Russian state, on behalf of the people of Russia, I sincerely thank you for your work and for its results. Our Motherland needs them so much today!

All promising military developments, as I have already said, are based on outstanding achievements that can, should and will in due time be used in high-tech civilian industries. But what I want to emphasize is that such a unique, most complex weapon can be successfully developed and produced only by a state with the highest level of fundamental science and education, a powerful research, technological, industrial, and personnel base. And you see that Russia has all these resources.

We will increase this potential, concentrate these opportunities on solving the large-scale tasks that the country faces in the economy, in the social sphere, and in infrastructure. And such a confident long-term development of Russia will always be reliably protected.

I repeat, each of these weapons systems is unique and important, but what is even more significant is that all this together enables the specialists of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff to create a promising, integrated system of defense of the country, in which each of the latest tools of armed struggle is assigned its own role. Along with the strategic weapons that we have and are already on combat duty, which we are also constantly improving, Russia will receive a defense system that will reliably ensure its security in the long term.

Of course, there is still a lot to be done in the field of military development, but today we can say with good reason: in Russia there is a modern, compact, high-tech army, taking into account the vastness of our territory, the heart of which is an officer devoted to his Motherland, ready to make any sacrifices for the sake of his people. frame. Equipment, weapons, even the most modern ones, will sooner or later appear in other armies of the world. This does not bother us at all, we already have it and it will be even better. The main thing is elsewhere. They will never have such people, such officers as our pilot of the guard, Major Roman Filipov!

I hope that everything that was said today will sober up any potential aggressor, and such unfriendly steps towards Russia, such as the deployment of a missile defense system, bringing NATO infrastructure closer to our borders, and the like, become ineffective from a military point of view, and unjustifiably from a financial point of view. costly and ultimately simply meaningless for those who initiate and do it.

About everything that was said today, we somehow had to inform our partners in accordance with the international obligations assumed earlier. At the right time and to the right extent, specialists from the Foreign and Defense Ministry will discuss these issues with them more than once, if, of course, our partners so desire.

For my part, I would like to note that all work to strengthen the defense capability of Russia has been carried out and is being carried out by us within the framework of existing agreements in the field of arms control, we are not violating anything. I would like to emphasize that the growing military power of Russia does not threaten anyone, we have not had and do not have plans to use this potential for offensive, let alone aggressive purposes.

We are not threatening anyone, we are not going to attack anyone, we are not going to take anything from anyone at gunpoint: we ourselves have everything. On the contrary, I consider it necessary to emphasize (and this is very important): the growing military power of Russia is a reliable guarantee of peace on our planet, since this power maintains and will maintain the strategic balance and balance of power in the world, which, as is known, has been and remains one of the most important factors of international security after the Second World War and up to the present day.

And for those who over the past 15 years have been trying to inflate the arms race, trying to gain unilateral advantages against Russia, introducing restrictions and sanctions illegal from the international legal point of view in order to restrain the development of our country, including in the military field, I will say: all What you tried to prevent, prevent by pursuing such a policy has already happened. It was not possible to contain Russia!

Now you need to realize this reality, make sure that everything that I said today is not a bluff - and this is not a bluff, believe me - to think, to send to a well-deserved rest those who live in the past and are not able to look into the future , stop rocking the boat that we are all in and which is called "Planet Earth".

In this regard, I would like to note one more circumstance. Of great concern are some of the provisions of the updated review of US nuclear strategy, which expands the possibility of reducing and lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. And behind the scenes, you can reassure anyone and in any way you like, but we read what is written. And it is written in such a way that it can be launched in response to conventional strikes or even a cyber threat.

I note that in our military doctrine, Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons only in response to the use of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction against it or its allies or in the event of aggression against us with the use of conventional weapons, when the very existence of the state is threatened. Everything is very precise, clear, concrete.

In this regard, I consider it my duty to state the following. Any use of nuclear weapons against Russia or its allies of small, medium, and whatever power, we will consider as a nuclear attack on our country. The answer will be instant and with all the ensuing consequences.

No one should have any doubts about this. There is no need to create new threats to the world, but, on the contrary, we need to sit down at the negotiating table and think together about a renewed, promising system of international security and sustainable development of civilization. We have always told you about it. All these proposals remain in force, Russia is ready for this.

Our policy will never be based on claims to exclusivity, we protect our interests and respect the interests of other countries, we are guided by international law, we consider the key role of the UN to be unshakable. It is these principles and approaches that allow us to build strong, good and equal relations with the absolute majority of the world's states.

An example of this is our comprehensive strategic partnership with the People's Republic of China. Russia has a particularly privileged strategic relationship with India. Our relations with very many countries of the world are gaining new momentum.

Russia actively participates in the work of international organizations. Together with partners, we are developing such associations and structures as the CSTO, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, we are promoting a positive agenda in the UN, the G20, APEC. We are interested in normal, constructive cooperation with the US and the European Union. We hope that common sense will prevail and our partners will make a choice in favor of honest, equal cooperation.

Even if our positions do not coincide in some way, we still remain partners, because together we will meet the most difficult challenges, ensure universal security, build a future world that is becoming more and more interconnected, where integration processes are actively gaining momentum.

Together with partners in the Eurasian Economic Union, we intend to make it a globally competitive integration association. On the agenda is the creation in the EurAsEC of a common market for electricity, oil, oil products and gas, the harmonization of financial markets, and the work of customs services. We will continue to work on the project to create a large Eurasian partnership.

Dear colleagues!

The whole world is now going through a turning point, and the leader will be the one who is ready and able to change, the one who acts, goes forward. Our country, our people showed such a will at all the defining historical stages of our development. Over the past 30 years, we have achieved changes that have taken other countries centuries to achieve.

We went, we go and we will go our confident course. We were and will be together. Our cohesion is the strongest foundation for further development. In the coming years, we need to further strengthen our unity so that we work as one team that understands that changes are necessary and is ready to give their strength, knowledge, experience, and talent to achieve common goals.

Challenges, big tasks fill our lives with special meaning. We need to be bold in our plans, deeds and deeds, take the initiative, responsibility, become stronger, and therefore benefit our family, children, the whole country, change the world, the life of the country for the better, create Russia, which we dream of together . And then the coming decade, the entire 21st century, will certainly become the time of our bright victories, our common success. I believe it will.

We have to solve all these tasks in complex, extraordinary conditions, as has happened more than once in history. And the people of Russia once again convincingly proved that they are capable of meeting difficult challenges, defending and defending national interests, sovereignty and the independent course of the country.

But here is what I would like to say, dear colleagues, in this regard. I have already spoken publicly several times, but I would like to repeat it today.

Citizens have united – and we see this, we must say thanks to our citizens for this – around patriotic values, not because they are happy with everything, because everything suits them. No, there are enough difficulties and problems now. But there is an understanding of their causes, and most importantly, the confidence that together we will definitely overcome them. Willingness to work for Russia, heartfelt, sincere concern for her - that's what underlies this association.

At the same time, people expect that they will be provided with broad and equal opportunities for self-realization, for the implementation of entrepreneurial, creative, civic initiatives, they count on respect for themselves, for their rights, freedoms, and for their work.

The principles of justice, respect and trust are universal. We firmly defend them - and, as we see, not without result - in the international arena. But to the same extent we are obliged to guarantee their implementation within the country, in relation to each person and the whole society.

Any injustice and untruth are perceived very sharply. This is generally a feature of our culture. Society resolutely rejects arrogance, rudeness, arrogance and selfishness, no matter who it all comes from, and more and more appreciates such qualities as responsibility, high morality, concern for public interests, readiness to hear others and respect their opinion.

This was also shown by the election campaign that took place this year. You know that the initiative to return to a mixed model of elections to the State Duma was supported in the 2012 Address. It was a fundamental step towards public opinion.

I believe that the course for development political system, institutions of direct democracy, to increase the competitiveness of elections is absolutely justified, and we will certainly continue it.

The role of the State Duma as a representative body has grown. In general, the authority legislature. It must be supported, confirmed by deeds. This applies to all political forces represented in parliament.

But, of course, a special responsibility lies with the United Russia party, which, by the way, is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary today. The party has a constitutional majority in the State Duma, is the main pillar of the Government in Parliament. And we need to organize our joint work in such a way that all the promises and obligations made to the citizens are fulfilled.

It was the citizens who determined the results of the election campaign, chose the path of the country's creative development, proved that we live in a healthy society, confident in its fair demands, in which immunity to populism and demagogy is strengthened and the importance of mutual support, solidarity, and unity is highly valued.

Of course, we are not talking about some kind of dogma, about an ostentatious, false unity, especially about coercion to a certain worldview - all this has happened in our history, as you well know, and we are not going to go back to the past.

But this does not mean that, juggling with beautiful words and hiding behind arguments about freedom, someone can offend the feelings of other people and national traditions.

You know, if someone considers himself more advanced, more intelligent, even considers himself smarter than someone else in something, if you are like that, but treat other people with respect, it's natural.

At the same time, of course, I consider unacceptable a counter-aggressive reaction, especially if it results in vandalism and in violation of the law. The state will react harshly to such facts.

Tomorrow we have a meeting of the Council for Culture - we will definitely discuss issues that cause a wide discussion, we will talk about the principles of mutual responsibility of representatives of civil society and artists.

But I want to emphasize that in culture, in politics, in the media and in public life, in polemics on economic issues, no one can forbid free thinking and openly expressing one's position.

I repeat, when we talk about solidarity and unity, we mean the conscious, natural consolidation of citizens for the sake of the successful development of Russia.

Is it possible to achieve significant strategic goals in a fragmented society? Is it possible to solve these problems with the parliament, where instead of effective work there are competitions of ambitions and fruitless bickering?

Is it possible to adequately develop on the shaky ground of a weak state and a weak-willed government controlled from the outside, which has lost the trust of its citizens? The answer is obvious: of course not.

Recently, we have seen many countries where such a situation opened the way for adventurers, upheavals and, ultimately, anarchy. Everywhere the result is the same: human tragedies and victims, decline and ruin, disappointment.

It is also a matter of concern that in the world, and even in the most prosperous, it would seem, countries and stable regions, there are more and more new faults and conflicts on political, national, religious, social grounds.

All this is superimposed on the most acute migration crisis faced, for example, by European and other countries. We are well aware of the consequences of the so-called great upheavals. Unfortunately, in our country in the past century there were many of them.

The coming year, 2017, is the year of the centenary of the February and October revolution. This is a weighty reason to once again turn to the causes and the very nature of the revolution in Russia. Not only for historians and scientists - Russian society needs an objective, honest, in-depth analysis of these events.

This is our general history and should be treated with respect. The outstanding Russian, Soviet philosopher Alexei Fedorovich Losev also wrote about this. “We know the whole thorny path of our country,” he wrote, “we know the agonizing years of struggle, lack, suffering, but for the son of his Motherland, all this is his own, inalienable, dear.”

I am sure that the vast majority of our citizens have just such a sense of the Motherland, and we need the lessons of history, first of all, for reconciliation, for strengthening the social, political, civil accord that we have managed to achieve today.

It is unacceptable to drag the schisms, anger, resentment and exasperation of the past into our present life, in our own political and other interests to speculate on the tragedies that touched almost every family in Russia, no matter which side of the barricades our ancestors found themselves then. Let's remember: we are one people, we are one people, and we have one Russia.

Dear colleagues!

The meaning of our entire policy is saving people, multiplying human capital as the main wealth of Russia. Therefore, our efforts are aimed at supporting traditional values ​​and the family, at demographic programs, improving the environment, improving people's health, and developing education and culture.

You know, I cannot but say a few words about what is really happening, what we have here, what we have achieved. Natural population growth continues.

In 2013 - demographers have such a concept of "fertility rate" - it was 1.7 in Russia, which is higher than in most European countries. For example, I will say: Portugal - 1.2, in Spain, Greece - 1.3, Austria, Germany, Italy - 1.4, in the Czech Republic - 1.5. This data is for 2013. In 2015, the total fertility rate in Russia will be even higher, slightly, but still higher – 1.78.

We will continue to make changes in the social sphere so that it becomes closer to people, to their needs, to be more modern and fair. Social sectors should attract qualified people and talented youth, so we are also raising the salaries of specialists and improving their working conditions.

I would like to note that the competition for admission to medical and pedagogical universities – quite recently it was almost zero – is steadily growing. In 2016, it amounted to 7.8 people for pedagogical specialties, and after the last admission in 2016, the general competition for budget places in medical universities amounted to almost 28 people per place. May God grant health and success to all - young professionals - in their work in the future.

I remember well how at one time I discussed with my colleagues projects for the development of high-tech medical care, as well as a network of perinatal centers, which we did not have at all. Now, in 2018, there will already be 94 of them in Russia.

And today our doctors save newborns in the most difficult cases. And according to these indicators, we have also reached the positions of the advanced countries of the world.

At the end of 2015, the infant mortality rate in Russia was 6.5 per thousand live births, and in the European region of the World Health Organization, the indicator was 6.6, that is, we already had a little better. According to the results of 10 months of 2016, Russia reached the level of 5.9.

Over the past ten years, the volume of high-tech medical care has increased 15 times. Hundreds of thousands of complex operations are performed not only in leading federal centers, but also in regional clinics. If in 2005, when we launched this program, 60,000 people in Russia received high-tech medical care, in 2016 it will be 900 thousand. We also need to move on. But still compare: 60 thousand and 900 - the difference is significant.

Next year, we need to introduce mechanisms for sustainable financing of high-tech aid. This will make it possible to further increase its availability and reduce the waiting time for operations.

On the whole, it must be said frankly that problems in health care remain in general, and there are still a lot of them. And above all, they concern the primary link. Its development must be given priority.

Citizens often face queues, with a formal, indifferent attitude towards themselves. Doctors are overloaded, it is difficult to get to the right specialist. It is not uncommon for polyclinics to be equipped with the latest equipment, and medical workers simply lack the qualifications to use this equipment.

Starting next year on the basis of federal and regional medical centers and universities will organize regular retraining of doctors. At the same time, a specialist with the help of an educational certificate will be able to choose where and how to improve his skills.

We will continue to increase the level of informatization of healthcare in order to make it convenient and easy to make appointments and record keeping. It is necessary to free doctors from routine, from filling out a pile of reports and certificates, to give them more time to work directly with the patient.

In the development of agriculture, much depends on the regions. I believe that they should be given more independence in determining the priorities for the use of federal subsidies to support the agro-industrial complex, and their volume itself should be associated with an increase in arable land, an increase in yields, and other qualitative indicators of production efficiency, thereby creating an incentive for putting idle agricultural land into circulation and introducing advanced agricultural technologies .

Here I would like to emphasize: if we give more independence in the use of federal budget funds, federal support, then the responsibility of the regions for the results and effective investment of the resources received, for strengthening their own economic base, solving problems in the social sphere, in housing and communal services should also increase.

Further, in order for our farmers to have new opportunities to enter the market, it is necessary to pay special attention to supporting agricultural cooperation. I ask the Ministry of Agriculture, Rosselkhozbank, Rosagroleasing, as well as the Corporation for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises to take up this issue. Next year we will replenish its capital by almost 13 billion rubles.

We have carried out a deep modernization of the military-industrial enterprises, the military-industrial complex. The result is an increase in production volumes and, most importantly, a significant increase in labor productivity. "Defense" demonstrates very good performance here and gives good example. In 2016, the expected growth rate of defense industry production will be 10.1 percent, and the expected growth rate of labor productivity will be 9.8 percent.

And now it is necessary to focus the industry on the production of modern competitive civilian products for medicine, energy, aviation and shipbuilding, space, and other high-tech industries. In the next decade, its share should be at least a third of the total output in the military-industrial complex.

I ask the Government to organize systematic work to solve this problem with the participation of development institutions, VEB, the Russian Export Center, and the Industry Support Fund.

Dear colleagues, the IT industry has become one of the fastest growing industries, which is very pleasing. The volume of exports of domestic companies has doubled in five years. I just cited the figures for the volume of exports of the defense industry and agricultural products. "Defence" is 14.5 billion. More recently, IT technologies accounted for a figure that was approaching zero, now it is $7 billion.

Other indicators also increased: revenue, tax revenues. Such a return was given, among other things, by benefits on insurance premiums. The Ministry of Finance asked me not to say that this was only due to benefits, I say that there were other, of course, tools to support the industry, but still, I must admit that these benefits have played a significant role in supporting IT companies. This measure allowed them to effectively realize their intellectual innovative potential. Look, at the beginning of the journey, in 2010, their tax deductions amounted to 28 billion rubles, and two years later - already 54 billion rubles. Imagine how tall! At the same time, the so-called shortfall in income, taking into account benefits, is only 16 billion rubles. That is real income even for the budget. In order to maintain this momentum, I propose extending these benefits until 2023. I am sure that in the next decade there is every opportunity to make the IT industry one of the key export industries in Russia.

The examples I mentioned above show that we are already purposefully changing the structure of the economy, updating existing industries and creating new ones, and creating modern companies capable of operating on world markets. We need to continue moving in this direction systematically and aggressively. What is needed is not abstract scenarios in which little depends on us, but a professional, verified development forecast. It is necessary to clearly define what contribution to economic growth will be made by improving the business climate, launching large investment projects, increasing non-primary exports, supporting small and medium-sized businesses, and other measures, and what will be the role of regions and individual industries.

I instruct the Government, with the participation of leading business associations, no later than May of next year, to develop a substantive action plan, calculated until 2025, the implementation of which will allow, at the turn of 2019-2020, to reach economic growth rates above the world ones, which means to increase Russia's position in the global economy.

Dear colleagues! I repeat again, it is important that such a plan be supported and trusted by the business community, so that entrepreneurs are actively involved in its implementation. Today, the growing demand of people for the expansion of economic freedoms (we have spoken about this more than once), for stable, stable, predictable rules for doing business, including the tax system, is obvious. Let me remind you that in 2014 we decided to fix the current tax conditions for businesses for four years. They did not revise them, despite changes in the economic situation, and this certainly had a positive impact on the work of enterprises.

At the same time, we must orient our tax system in such a way that it works for main goal: to stimulate business activity, to increase the economy and investment, to create competitive conditions for the development of our enterprises. It is necessary to streamline the existing fiscal incentives, make them more targeted, and abandon inefficient instruments.

Over the next year, I propose to consider in detail and comprehensively proposals for setting up the tax system, and be sure to do this with the participation of business associations. Despite the domestic political calendar, in 2018 we still need to prepare and adopt all the relevant amendments to the legislation, to the Tax Code, and put them into effect on January 1, 2019, fixing new stable rules for the long term.

At the same time, I ask the Government to work out the issues of improving the mechanisms for ensuring a sustainable budget and public finances, fulfilling all our obligations, regardless of external factors, including hydrocarbon prices.

Further. We have seriously updated the legal framework in the field of entrepreneurship. Now it is important to ensure effective law enforcement – ​​and above all on the ground. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that in each region of the country, basic services for business: building permits, access to infrastructure, and so on and so forth, must fully comply with the requirements of federal legislation and best regional practices.

Dear colleagues! We recently gathered in Yaroslavl, I think, and talked about this topic. This is not some kind of passing topic - it is extremely important direction our joint activities. We will closely monitor what is happening in the regions in these areas and determine the quality of the work of regional teams to a large extent by these indicators. And such a fundamental problem must be solved next year. This will allow us to provide not only a uniform, but also an equally high quality of the business environment in all regions of Russia.

We have talked a lot about improving the control and oversight bodies, we have been talking about this for many years. Starting next year, their transparency will be dramatically increased, and there will be data in the public domain: who checks who, how often, what results are obtained.

This will make it possible to promptly respond to abuses, to every fact of violation of the rights of entrepreneurs by controllers. Now I will not list all these decisions taken, there are enough of them, it is only necessary that they be fulfilled. It is necessary to cancel the instructions that do not affect the quality of services, ensuring the safety of citizens, but at the same time tie business hand and foot.

I would like to draw the Government's attention to the need to accelerate the implementation of a risk-based approach in the work of control and oversight bodies, which will significantly reduce the number of inspections, but increase their effectiveness. I would add that supervisory authorities should not only detect violations, but also prevent them, not formally, but meaningfully, and – this is very important – provide advice to entrepreneurs, especially those who are just starting their own business.

I have already given a direct instruction to exclude the interpretation of the work of self-employed citizens as illegal entrepreneurial activity. No need to cling to them for far-fetched reasons. And so that there are no such reasons at all, I ask you to clearly define within the next year legal status self-employed citizens, to give them the opportunity to work normally, calmly.

Everyone who honestly works in his business or as an employee should feel that the state, society is on his side. Justice is not in equalization, but in the expansion of freedom, in the creation of conditions for work, which brings respect, prosperity and success. And, on the contrary, everything that limits opportunities and violates the rights of people is unfair.

Last year's Address dealt with the pressure on business by some representatives of law enforcement agencies. As a result of such actions, successful companies often fall apart, people's property is taken away. I want to thank the parliamentarians for supporting the bill, which significantly increases the criminal liability of law enforcement officers for fabricating cases, including with the aim of hindering the work of entrepreneurs.

I will dwell separately on the topic of the fight against corruption. In recent years, there have been many high-profile cases against officials at the municipal, regional, and federal levels. At the same time, I would like to emphasize that the vast majority of civil servants are honest, decent people who work for the good of the country. But neither a position, nor high connections, nor past merits can be a cover for dishonest representatives of power. However - and I would also like to draw attention to this - no one has the right to pass a verdict on the guilt or innocence of a person until a court decision.

And further. Unfortunately, it has become a practice for us to raise information noise around the so-called high-profile cases. And often representatives of investigative and law enforcement agencies themselves sin with this. Dear colleagues, I want to draw your attention to this and say that the fight against corruption is not a show, it requires professionalism, seriousness and responsibility, only then it will give results, receive conscious, broad support from society.

Dear colleagues! It is obvious that external restrictions and the rise in the cost of domestic borrowing have also reduced the availability of financial resources for enterprises and citizens. Nevertheless, the banking system managed to replace foreign lending to our companies and stabilize the situation, this is an obvious fact.

Now we must support business activity, the implementation of major economic projects, and affordable financing, especially since inflation is falling, as I have already said, and this creates objective conditions for cheaper bank loans. I repeat, the situation has indeed improved slightly, but only in certain sectors. In general, lending to the economy demonstrates unstable dynamics.

As part of anti-crisis support in 2015-2016, we replenished the capital of the banking system by 827 billion rubles. According to estimates, this resource allowed banks to significantly increase lending to the real sector.

However, the volume of such loans did not increase this year, and even slightly decreased. I know about the calculations in rubles, in foreign currency, but the decline did occur, even taking into account the exchange rate difference; I draw the attention of those experts who believe that it is very important to pay attention to the exchange rate difference. Yes, everything is clear, the value of the ruble has changed against the dollar, against the euro, and this must be taken into account, but still, even taking into account this circumstance, there is still a decrease in lending.

Of course, there is no doubt that it is necessary to stimulate lending to the real sector. But key question remains: what methods and means to do this? Obviously, only stable banks with a solid capital reserve can develop lending.

This year, domestic banks have restored their profitability. The profit of this sector of the economy for 10 months of last year amounted to 193 billion rubles, and for the same period of this year already 714 billion rubles. An increase of almost four times.

In addition, thanks to the consistent and resolute work of the Central Bank, the banking system is cleared of offices that violate the law, the rights of customers, and conduct dubious financial transactions. Many of them left the market, at least the weak players. The banking sector has been rehabilitated and is being continued by the Central Bank. All this is a good basis for a rapid recovery of the economy, for the development of lending to the real sector.

On the whole, in a number of states, incentives have been created for banks to lend to this particular, real, sector of the economy. At the same time, some countries are discussing limiting the ability of banks to invest borrowed funds in financial instruments. I’m not saying that we need to blindly copy everything that is done abroad, especially since the Russian economy and its structure differ significantly from other countries that use such measures, but to analyze all this practice, to adopt everything that suits us is possible and necessary.

Thus, the non-banking financial sector is successfully operating in many states. It should be developed in our country as well: it allows attracting funds from investors and citizens to the economy through bonds and other mechanisms.

By the way, we have been discussing this topic for quite some time. I expect that the Bank of Russia and the Government will jointly work out proposals for the development of the financial market. Everything should, of course, be aimed at the objectives of economic growth, while any changes should not lead to the manifestation of macroeconomic imbalances and inflation of so-called bubbles in the economy.

It is very important to support small business lending, which continues to fall as well. What else can and should be done to achieve this? Representatives of the financial authorities also believe that this is possible.

If the largest banks, due to the scale and complexity of their operations, are subject to strict requirements in accordance with international standards(and some experts believe that even for us they are too strict, but we will not go into details now), in any case, small regional banks that perform an important function of lending to small businesses and the population, performing, as a rule, the simplest banking operations, could work according to significantly simplified requirements for regulating their activities. Moreover, this, of course, cannot create any risks for the banking system as a whole, given their modest share in the entire banking system - only 1.5 percent of all banking assets. Such differentiated regulation of the banking system will allow customers to apply to the bank that best suits their needs, and small businesses will not experience competition for credit resources with large companies.

Of course, the fundamental condition remains unchanged: each of the levels of the banking system must be healthy and stable, so that both clients and depositors can be confident in the security of their funds.

Dear colleagues! To reach a new level of development of the economy and social sectors, we need our own advanced developments and scientific solutions. It is necessary to focus on areas where the powerful technological potential of the future is accumulating, and these are digital, other, so-called end-to-end technologies that today determine the appearance of all spheres of life. Countries that can generate them will have a long-term advantage, the ability to receive huge technological rents. Those who do not will find themselves in a dependent, vulnerable position. Cross-cutting are those that are being tried on in all industries: these are digital, quantum, robotics, neurotechnologies, and so on.

It should also be taken into account that digital technologies, for example, also contain risks, of course. It is necessary to strengthen the protection against cyber threats, the resilience of all elements of the infrastructure must be significantly increased, financial system, government controlled.

I propose to launch a large-scale systematic program for the development of the economy of a new technological generation, the so-called digital economy. In its implementation, we will rely on Russian companies, scientific, research and engineering centers of the country.

This is a matter of national security and technological independence of Russia, in the full sense of the word, of our future. It is necessary to conduct an inventory and remove all administrative, legal, and any other barriers that prevent businesses from entering both existing and emerging high-tech markets; provide such projects with financial resources, including directing the work of the updated VEB (Development Bank) to these tasks.

We will need qualified personnel, engineers, workers, ready to carry out tasks of a new level. Therefore, together with business, we are building a modern system of secondary vocational education, organizing the training of teachers of colleges and technical schools based on advanced international standards.

We will increase the number of state-funded places in engineering disciplines, IT specialties, and other key areas that determine the development of the economy. Next year, centers of competence will be created on the basis of leading universities, including regional ones, to provide intellectual and personnel support to projects related to the formation of new industries and markets.

A powerful factor in the accumulation of scientific and technological reserves necessary for economic growth, for social development fundamental science should also serve. It has a twofold task: to assess, predict future trends and offer optimal solutions to respond to the challenges that we will face.

And in the scientific field, as elsewhere, we will develop competition, support the strong, capable of producing practical results. This must be taken into account by the Russian Academy of Sciences and all scientific organizations. We will continue to form a research infrastructure that will allow us to solve large-scale scientific tasks.

As part of the mega-grant program, more than 200 laboratories have already been created, without any exaggeration - world-class; they are headed by scientists who determine the trends of global scientific development (by the way, many of them are our compatriots who have previously gone abroad).

I recently met with a group of such researchers. Even now, most of their time, many of them work in Russian laboratories, they work successfully and with pleasure. And they see that interesting scientific tasks are being set in Russia today, a good research base and material conditions are being created at a decent level.

But, of course, people have the right and should understand that they have a work and planning horizon, and in this regard, I propose to provide long-term funding for effective research projects, including from the resources of the Russian Science Foundation.

At the same time, it is fundamentally important to support our Russian talented young scientists – there are many of them – so that they create their own research teams and laboratories in Russia. A special line of grants will be launched for them, designed for a period of up to seven years. For these purposes, as well as for the development of scientific infrastructure, the opening of new laboratories in 2017 alone, an additional 3.5 billion rubles will be allocated to the already declared resources for science.

And of course, the activities of research centers should be closely integrated with the education system, the economy, and high-tech companies. We need to turn research backlog into successful commercial products, by the way, we have always suffered from this: a lot of time passes from development to implementation, and sometimes in general ... This applies not only to our time, and not even the Soviet one, but everything in the Russian Empire it was the same. We need to reverse this trend - we can do it. To solve this problem, two years ago we launched the National Technology Initiative, which is designed to ensure the leadership positions of Russian companies and products in the most promising markets of the future.

Dear colleagues! Everything I have just talked about, all these priorities, are included in the Strategy for the Scientific and Technological Development of Russia. The decree on its approval has been signed.

Everyone is well aware that in recent years we have faced attempts from outside pressure. I have already spoken about this twice, I recalled it. Everything was put into play: from myths about Russian aggression, propaganda, interference in other people's elections - to the persecution of our athletes, including Paralympic athletes.

By the way, as I said, there is a blessing in disguise, the so-called doping scandal, I am sure, will allow us to create in Russia the most advanced system to combat this evil. I presume that the national anti-doping program will be ready at the beginning of next year.

What I would like to say: custom-made information campaigns, the invention and stuffing of compromising evidence, mentoring lectures are already tired of everyone - if necessary, we ourselves can teach anyone, but we understand the measure of our responsibility and are really sincerely ready to take part in solving world and regional problems - of course, where our participation is appropriate, in demand and necessary.

We do not want confrontation with anyone, we do not need it: neither we, nor our partners, nor the world community. Unlike some foreign colleagues who see Russia as an adversary, we are not and never have been looking for enemies. We need friends. But we will not allow infringement of our interests, neglect of them. We want and will independently manage our own destiny, build the present and the future without other people's prompts and unsolicited advice.

At the same time, we are disposed to a benevolent, equal dialogue, to affirm the principles of justice and mutual respect in international affairs. We are ready for a serious discussion about building a stable system of international relations in the 21st century. Unfortunately, in this regard, the decades since the end of the Cold War have been wasted.

We are for security and the possibility of development not for a select few, but for all countries and peoples, for respect for international law and the diversity of the world. Against any monopoly, whether we are talking about claims to exclusivity or attempts to build the rules of international trade for themselves, limit freedom of speech, or actually introduce censorship in the global information space. Then we were constantly reproached for allegedly introducing censorship inside the country, now they themselves are exercising in this direction.

Russia is actively promoting a positive agenda in the work of international organizations and informal associations such as the UN, the G20, APEC. Together with partners, we are developing our formats: CSTO, BRICS, SCO. The priority of Russia's foreign policy has been and remains the further deepening of cooperation within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, interaction with other CIS states.

The Russian idea of ​​forming a multi-level integration model in Eurasia - a large Eurasian partnership - is also of serious interest. We have already begun substantive discussions on it at various international and regional levels. I am convinced that such a conversation is also possible with the EU states, in which today there is a growing demand for an independent subjective, political and economic course. We see this in the election results.

The huge potential of Russia's cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region was shown by the Eastern Economic Forum held this year. I ask the Government to ensure the unconditional implementation of all previously adopted decisions on the development of the Russian Far East. And, I would like to emphasize once again, Russia’s active eastern policy is not dictated by any opportunistic considerations of today, not even by the cooling of relations with the United States of America or the European Union, but by long-term national interests and global development trends.

In the current difficult conditions, one of the key factors in ensuring global and regional stability has become the Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. It serves as an example of the relations of the world order, built not on the idea of ​​the dominance of one country, no matter how strong it may be, but on the harmonious consideration of the interests of all states.

Today, China is emerging as the world's largest economy, and it is very important that every year our mutually beneficial cooperation is replenished with new large-scale projects in various fields: in trade, investment, energy, and high technologies.

The most important direction of Russia's foreign policy is the development of a particularly privileged strategic partnership with India. The results of the high-level Russian-Indian talks held in Goa in October confirmed that our countries have enormous potential for deepening cooperation in various fields.

We count on qualitative progress in relations with our eastern neighbor, Japan. We welcome the desire of the leadership of this country to develop economic ties with Russia and launch joint projects and programs.

We are ready to cooperate with the new American administration. It is important to normalize and start developing bilateral relations on an equal and mutually beneficial basis.

The interaction of Russia and the USA in solving global and regional problems is in the interests of the whole world. We have a common responsibility for ensuring international security and stability, for strengthening non-proliferation regimes.

I would like to emphasize that attempts to break strategic parity are extremely dangerous and could lead to a global catastrophe. You can't forget about it for one second.

And, of course, I look forward to joining the efforts of the United States in the fight against a real, not a fictitious threat - international terrorism. It is this task that our servicemen are solving in Syria. Terrorists have suffered tangible damage, the Russian army and navy have convincingly proved that they are able to work effectively away from their permanent locations.

By the way, we see what kind of work is being carried out by employees of special services and units inside the country in the fight against terror. We also have losses. All this, of course, is in the field of our attention. We will continue this work. I want to thank all our servicemen for their professionalism and nobility, courage and bravery, for the fact that you, the soldiers of Russia, value your honor and the honor of Russia.

Dear colleagues!

When the people feel they are right, they act together, they confidently follow the chosen path. In recent years, it has not been easy for us, but these trials have made us even stronger, really stronger, helped to better and more clearly define the areas in which we need to act even more persistently and energetically.

Overcoming the current difficulties, we have created a basis for further movement forward, we have not stopped working on the development agenda, which is extremely important. In other words, we did not delve into some small things of the current day, we did not deal only with the problems of survival, we thought about the development agenda and ensured it. And today it is this agenda that is becoming the main one, coming to the fore.

The future of the country depends only on us, on the work and talent of all our citizens, on their responsibility and success. And we will certainly achieve our goals, solve the problems of today and tomorrow.

Thank you very much for your attention.