YEKATERINBURG, November 29 (Itar-Tass) —— Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, when visiting a new residential district in Yekaterinburg, where the Defence Ministry buys housing for servicemen, came to the home of Lieut. Col. Alexander Savichev, who retired last September.
The host with his wife and daughter showed their new apartment to the guest. Medvedev asked where the officer had served, where he worked after the retirement and what his wife did. He also asked whether the family had problems in the new district. The host's wife said she worked in a private kindergarten.
The president gave them souvenirs.
Then, Medvedev was a guest of Maj. Alexei Mishchenko, who has a service apartment in the district. His wife invited the president and Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, who accompanied the president, to the table to have a cup of tea. At the table, they discussed service issues. Mishchenko thanked Medvedev for the decision to raise allowances for servicemen.
These are great budget expenses, but it is absolutely necessary. It must be done, Medvedev noted.
The president thanked them for the hospitality and presented them gifts.
Near the building, Medvedev talked with local residents. Some of them complained that the district was short of kindergartens. "We will surely deal with it." the president assured. Some residents noted there were not enough parking places for cars, while the cost in the underground garage was too high. Medvedev promised to consider what to do to make such underground parking places affordable for local car owners.