“I consider it extremely important for members of the government of the Russian Federation to visit the Kuril Islands. We have done this in the past, and naturally, this practice will be continued by the new government. The reasons for this are obvious: this is a very important part of the Sakhalin Region and of our Russian land as a whole.”

The main topic of discussion was the development of the region and above all transport issues. The prime minister stressed in this regard that “Sometimes you have to take decisions which may require additional funding but which will allow transport access to be maintained for a significant number of people.”

Subject of the meeting – additional measures to provide transport links between difficult-of-access territories in the Far East and Siberia.

Mr Medvedev and Mr Miklushevsky discussed priority objectives of regional development. During the conversation, the Prime Minister stressed that large-scale and inexpensive construction projects are the most important thing. For his part, the Governor said that the creation of a comfortable environment is a priority aspect of the Primorye Territory’s socio-economic development. An environment like this will induce people to come here, rather than leave the region.

“I am confident that a huge number of people will use it, people who live in Vladivostok and on Russky Island, and people who travel here, tourists from other parts of Russia and from abroad. And it will simply be a very beautiful piece of engineering, showcasing the engineering talents, architectural inventiveness and creative potential of our people.”

Dmitry Medvedev said that the government plans to continue raising salaries for education, healthcare, culture and social services employees.

“We will honour all our social commitments despite the difficult global economic situation.”

“The conversation was direct and open and as a result we issued several instructions and made amendments to the protocol. This is all very good. We agreed that we will keep our meetings that way in the future as well. We can’t have lengthy breaks in between these meetings,” Prime Minister Medvedev said, summing up the outcome of intergovernmental talks in Kiev.

“Ukraine has joined the list of Russia’s major trading partners, and that is absolutely normal in my view. This is Ukraine’s rightful place.”