Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Dmitry Medvedev: Mr Minnikhanov, we had an important meeting today on the development of aircraft building in KAPO (the Kazan Aircraft Production Association). This is a big enterprise with a glorious history but it should also have a future. We have just held a meeting on military and transport aviation, in which a number of important decisions were made, including one on the construction of a new assembly plant for the An-70 on the grounds of KAPO. This will be a new production line for the enterprise, which amounts essentially to the construction of a brand new plant equipped with the latest technology. I hope this decision will allow you to preserve jobs and help us achieve our goal of creating modern, efficient Russian aircraft. I hope the republic will take an active part in these efforts.
Rustam Minnikhanov: Mr Medvedev, this is a very sensitive issue. After all, KAPO is one of our leading high-tech factories, with glorious traditions. Without such a product, without modern production techniques, there was no future for us. Our republic has strong educational and component bases and we have also launched our Composite and Black Wing modernisation programmes.
Today you have made a decision to start a new production line. This will be a completely new, high-tech plant. It’s not an easy task but we will cope with it. We have enough time for its construction, and the design institute that deals with our aviation industry is based in Kazan. We have enough construction companies. We’ll have to train completely new specialists but we are in a position to do this too. Mr Medvedev, we appreciate your trust in us and promise you we will handle this assignment.
Dmitry Medvedev: I am very much counting on you to do exactly that. Tatarstan and KAPO really do have every opportunity of meeting this challenge. The main point is that we get a good aircraft that will be launched into mass production on the allocated budget funds. This is vital for the Russian aircraft industry and the construction of modern aviation plants. Thank you.