Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Dmitry Medvedev: Mr Mitin, our current meeting is not only about agriculture. We have come to an ancient site – this city is almost a thousand years old. Historically, it was not just a Russian geopolitical spot, but also a very famous resort. Probably not everyone knows about this today. The sanatorium, which offers most diverse medical services, is almost 200 years old. There are water and muds here, and it conducts all kinds of medical procedures. It is very important for us to develop resorts, not only in Sochi, Moscow and other large cities, but also in traditional places. There is no Dead Sea here, but in terms of the quality of procedures and resources, this resort is comparable to European and other global spas. The only question is, how do we develop such places, where do we get the money and what results should we achieve? What do you think about this?

Sergei Mitin: First of all, thank you very much for coming here. You have made a very good point. This was one of the largest Russian resorts in the 19^th century – a kind of Russian Baden-Baden. People from all over north-west and Moscow came here for treatment and leisure. Now our task is to restore the prestige of this sanatorium and this place in general. We should develop the city of Staraya Russa in parallel with the resort. I think we have every opportunity for turning this place into a national and even an international resort. Mineral water and mud reserves, the air and the climate – everything contributes to this.

We are now working with a new owner. The past two years have been very successful and there have been changes for the better. We will continue developing not only the sanatorium but also the entire infrastructure. Several mini hotels are being built here and there is a large investment project on another sanatorium. We want to join the tourism programme of the Ministry of Culture.

We have Academician Alexander Chechulin here. His specialty is lung diseases. We are cooperating with him on the formation of a rehabilitation centre for lung patients. This project may lead to others.

I hope your visit will become an impetus for our development. I think this is the first time the Prime Minister has come to see us in the entire history of this resort. Thank you very much for coming.

Dmitry Medvedev: This place deserves a visit from any leader, because it truly occupies a special place in our history. It has tremendous opportunities for attracting tourists. Let’s talk about this in more detail.

Sergei Mitin: Thank you.

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Before talking with Governor Mitin Mr Medvedev visited the Staraya Russa resort and its museum.

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The Staraya Russa resort occupies 92 hectares. In service since 1828, it emerged at the spot of the natural discharge of highly mineralised pressurised waters onto the surface.

The resort offers treatment for diseases of the digestive, musculoskeletal, locomotor, nervous, and respiratory systems, and rehabilitation for patients with traumas or after operations. It has modern medical and diagnostic equipment, and highly skilled personnel.

The Staraya Russa resort is well known on the domestic and international markets of medical and health-building services. It is home to Europe’s most powerful hyperpiestic water fountain – the Muravyevsky Fountain.