On May 14th Head of Karelia Sergey Katanandov has held a press conference at the central office of RIA Novosti in Moscow to tell about the forthcoming celebrating of the 90th anniversary of Karelia and preparation for this event.
Answering questions of the metropolitan journalists, Sergey Katanandov has emphasized that the main point of the anniversary is not a magnificent celebration, but completion of the major infrastructural projects that are of greate importance for the citizens of the republic.
"By the 90th anniversary we are completing an entire epoch, – Head of Karelia has told, – we bring to the end many long-awaited objects some of which were planned during the Soviet times." These are a new campus of Petrozavodsk State University, and the Clean Water project of reconstruction of water treatment works of the Karelian capital, reconstruction of theatres and investments in the infrastructure of public health services and sports. Thus, in recent years in the republic there have been constructed a modern cardiac surgery center and a network of vascular centers in regions that has allowed to lower the cardiovascular mortality, and more than 1 billion roubles was invested in the sphere of culture. There has been constructed the IT-park of Petrozavodsk State University where advanced scientific development for the largest Russian and foreign companies are conducted. Thus, Karelia is focused on both management of its natural resources – timber and stone, and on the innovative way of development willing to become the region of 'new people and new technologies'.
Of course, journalists wanted to know who is going to visit Karelia during the celebration. As Head of the republic has told, Patriarch Kirill has confirmed his participation the celebration where he will minister a festive mass in Petrozavodsk and hold a church service in memory of the innocent murder victims at the White Sea – Baltic Canal. There will also come the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation Victor Zubkov who is at the head of the steering committee on preparation and celebration of the 90th anniversary of Karelia 90th annversary of the Republic of Karelia by order of Vladimir Putin. Speaker of the State Duma, Chairman of the United Russia's Supreme Council Boris Gryzlov is also expected to come.
Taking an opportunity, Sergey Katanandov has thanked all members of the steering committee for their work, having reminded that the total cost of actions and objects included in the federal program of preparation for the 90th anniversary of Karelia exceeds 5 billion roubles.
Questions also concerned the anniversary itself. Journalists asked about prospects of tourism in Karelia, about the future of the Karelian language, about development of trout-breeding, about Valaam, about involvement of investments. As the Head of Karelia has noted, the economic crisis has made amendments to plans for development of the region, however, the republic will retract none of its large projects which should become new points of growth for the republic. Among them there are creation of a seaport in Byelomorsk, participation in construction of a gas main from Shtokmanovskoye gas condensate deposit in the Barents Sea, opening of the Spasskaya Guba Alpine skiing recreational resort, modernization of the largest enterprises, etc. As Sergey Katanandov has declared, all these projects are included into current federal programs and will be implemented in the next 5-6 years, also with the help from Moscow.
The 90th anniversary of the republic became the central issue at Sergey Katanandov's meeting with representatives Karelian community in Moscow. This public organization unites inhabitants of the Russian capital, whose life is somehow connected with the land of forests and lakes and who keep in touch with the republic and try to help it as far as possible.
Speaking about the first decade of the republic in the new millenium, Sergey Katanandov has emphasized that during these years it has become possible to modernize all the basic spheres of life in Karelia including education, public health services, culture, industrial production, extraction of minerals. Despite of difficulties of the transition period of economy, all the large enterprises keep working and continue to develop, a true technological revolution is observed in timber cutting: up to 80% of timber is logged mechanically, which is one of the best parameters in Russia.
Concluding his statement, Head of Karelia has emphasized: "We have lots of work ahead. We have laid the groundwork, stabilized the situation, stood up against the crisis, and on results of the decade economy of the republic has doubled. However, yet it is not enough to provide the high living standard in Karelia. Therefore, we shall keep working further: implement large investment projects, modernize our enterprises, make our life more comfortable. I congratulate everybody on the 90th anniversary of Karelia, I appreciate all the assistance and support, I wish you health and successes. I am sure that in the future we will be proud of the republic for a good reason."
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