Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon.

Have you got a feel for the republic? How is it going?

Yunus-Bek Yevkurov: Everything is normal.

Vladimir Putin: What is the current situation there?

Yunus-Bek Yevkurov: We are working on it.

Vladimir Putin: We have always had a problem in your republic, one that we have tried to resolve for a long time but without much success. I am referring to the need to create new jobs. Now this problem is becoming increasingly urgent. What is happening in Ingushetia?

Yunus-Bek Yevkurov: The Russian President paid a visit to our republic. Work on the federal target programme through 2015 is underway, and should be ready by July. If this programme is carried out, and we hope it will be, we are planning to reduce the current rate of unemployment of about 54% to 25-27%. This will be a tangible reduction, and won't be so dangerous for the republic. We are working on this problem, Mr Putin.

Vladimir Putin: Have you conducted any consultations with departments and ministries under this programme, in terms of its content and funding?

Yunus-Bek Yevkurov: We are continuing to hold consultations. Our Minister of Healthcare is here now. Like all other ministers, he submitted his programme for approval to the higher authorities, and it will be subsequently submitted for general approval. I think, in fact, I'm sure we'll launch it by July.

Vladimir Putin: Are you confident that implementation of these programmes will reduce unemployment practically twice?

Yunus-Bek Yevkurov: Yes, considerably.

Vladimir Putin: Good.

Yunus-Bek Yevkurov: Allow me to start with the socio-economic situation. In short, the situation is rather complicated. The main reason for this is that the development of the republic as constituent entity of the Federation has taken place in a rather short period of time - 15-16 years - which is why we have a number of problems. The republic has a weak production base and very few social facilities.

Our gross regional product is below the national, Russian average for a number of reasons. Our strategic companies and major taxpayers, such as Ingushneftegazprom and Ingush Quarry Management, are sustaining losses. Oil production in the republic has gone down by half since 2002-2003. I addressed your deputy, Mr Sechin, on this subject, and he met us halfway. Like the Chechen Republic, we'll give Rosneft 51% of the shares to redress the situation.

Vladimir Putin: Your complex should be developed under Rosneft's programmes.

Yunus-Bek Yevkurov: The same goes for agriculture, education, and healthcare. It goes without saying that we are working on the problems in these spheres. People primarily need light, water, gas, and roads. The infrastructure has deteriorated between 60% and 70%. According to medical statistics, 40% of diseases are generated by contaminated water. Here the federal authorities have also met us halfway and the relevant letters have already been submitted. Even in adjusting the budget allotted to us, we are seriously dealing with the water problems. We want to resolve them in three cities and districts.

Vladimir Putin: You have new water intake projects there, right?

Yunus-Bek Yevkurov: Yes, we have new water intake projects. We want to reduce our dependence on Mozdok and Kizlyar. We have one rather good water source that we want to take water from.