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Medvedev: Transport infrastructure projects should be geared to regional needs

Noting that many projects had already been implemented, the Prime Minister urged to continue the work

Photo ITAR-TASS/Dmitry Astakhov

Photo ITAR-TASS/Dmitry Astakhov

MOSCOW, August 27 (Itar-Tass) - Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called for gearing the transport infrastructure plans to the development of other branches of the economy.

"These plans should be geared to the development of other branches and must take into account regional needs," Medvedev told a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday in comments on the prospects for further implementation of the Transport Strategy until 2030.

Noting that many projects had already been implemented, the Prime Minister urged to continue the work. "We should not stop. We have to strive towards renovating, building, creating transport facilities with modern technologies, within a reasonable timeframe and at affordable prices, and this is where we have small problems."

Medvedev also called for not forgetting about the ecology. The negative impact by transport should be compensated by the transfer to environmentally-friendly fuel, he said.

In the first five years of the implementation of the Transport Strategy, several large projects were completed, mainly refurbishment or construction of railways, airports and sea ports. Large events, such as the APEC summit, the Kazan Universiade and the Sochi Olympic Games became an additional stimulus to attract investments.

The Prime Minister urged for more vigorous use of public-private partnership.

The new version of the Strategy should "specify a number of parameters accounting for changes in the world and Russian economies. The objective of the Strategy is the same: making transport modern, affordable and safe, and creating conditions for improving citizens' transport mobility," Medvedev said.

"Russia's geographical specifics are not just our problem; they can be our competitive advantage," he added.

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

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