The dialogue between the PMR President and representatives of the media lasted almost three hours. More than two dozen questions were asked. They talked about the construction boom in Pridnestrovie, gas transit, relations with Russia, the course of the negotiation process with Moldova, youth policy, the army, healthcare, tourism, sports, investment, affordable housing, agriculture and rural support.
Answering questions about the disposal of expired ammunition stored in a warehouse in the village of Kolbasna, Vadim Krasnoselsky recalled that it is located in close proximity to the place of residence of people whose safety is a priority. The coordinating center is located in Russia; Pridnestrovie will assist in the implementation of the decision, but subject to ensuring technological and environmental safety, the PMR President emphasized.
The interlocutors and large-scale repair and construction work that appeared in recent years throughout the republic were discussed. Improving a dilapidated infrastructure is one of the components of the state’s internal policy reflected in the Development Strategy for 2019-2026. Significant social protection tools are a socially oriented budget and a capital investment fund. The President informed that more than fifty schools, as many kindergartens, hundreds of medical institutions operate in the republic. Vadim Krasnoselsky spoke about the progress in updating communication networks and roads. He talked about the transition to new technologies in the road-building industry, listing the arguments in their favor: not only about the durability of modern types of pavement and their relatively low cost, but also about more global things, such as import substitution, capitalization of the Pridnestrovian economy, strengthening the position of the PMR ruble, the creation of new industries and jobs in the republic.
They focused during the conversation on support for villages. Vadim Krasnoselsky recalled that a third of Pridnestrovians live in rural areas. The villages are the center for preserving the culture and traditions of the Pridnestrovian people, as well as the basis for the development of agriculture, an important sector of the economy of the republic. According to Vadim Krasnoselsky, the villages should be provided with gas, light, water and without fail educational institutions, culture and sports. Within two years, 25 million rubles were spent on water supply to the villages (water was supplied to the homes of residents of almost fifty villages). During this time, the streets of 120 rural settlements were lit up (170 km of electric networks were laid, the total cost of the work performed was 10 million rubles). 62 million rubles invested in the improvement of rural roads. Rural outpatient clinics were built and repaired. 36 schools and kindergartens are in good condition. Rural recreation centers are being reconstructed. Work will be continued in 2020-2021.
Speaking about the transit of Russian gas, Vadim Krasnoselsky recalled that Pridnestrovie is an observer in the process of negotiations, emphasizing that the republic did not live by hopes alone, but was preparing for any of the scenarios. The fact that an agreement has been reached between Russia and Ukraine is encouraging, said Vadim Krasnoselsky.
The good news was for those who plan to obtain Russian citizenship sooner or later: the exit consular service point of the Russian embassy in Tiraspol, which has temporarily suspended work, resumes it. According to official information, the launch of the recording system is dated December 20, 2019. The break was associated with filling out the queue. There are more applications from Pridnestrovians who wish to obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation than the employees of the consular post manage to process. According to Vadim Krasnoselsky, compatriots of Russians consider themselves the majority of Pridnestrovians, regardless of the availability of other citizenship obtained by virtue of circumstances.
Speaking about the situation in healthcare, Vadim Krasnoselsky noted that there are positive changes. He emphasized that the Government and the relevant ministry are working in all directions - infrastructure, material and technical, personnel, and spoke about the developed Pridnestrovian Health Development Strategy and the most important state programs. The President emphasized that the most important thing is human life. It is on her salvation that efforts are directed. As an example, the President spoke about an agreement with Chisinau clinics to conduct operations related to cardiovascular diseases, the mortality rate for which is unacceptably high in Pridnestrovie today. For half a year, thanks to this interaction mechanism, 160 lives of Pridnestrovians were saved, who were promptly delivered to medical facilities of a neighboring state and whose operations were paid from Pridnestrovian budget.
They spoke about sports during the conference, including as one of the most important components of health protection. Vadim Krasnoselsky spoke about updating the sports infrastructure. The President was asked whether repair work at the republican stadium would continue. Vadim Krasnoselsky assured that this significant facility, around which many sports fields and institutions have been gathered, will be reconstructed without fail. It is the matter of time. In 2020, the main focus will be on medical and educational institutions. They plan to return to the repair of the stadium in 2021.
The theme of tourism was relevant in the past year, and therefore, during the final conference. The President was asked about the interaction between the state and business. Vadim Krasnoselsky spoke about the concept of development of this area as a whole and about some specific initiatives. Answering a question about the PMR brand and the participation of a Russian designer in its development, Vadim Krasnoselsky called him a creative person, noting that it would be interesting to see the result of his work. As for the vision of the PMR President, the symbol of Pridnestrovie is Generalissimo Suvorov for him.
Journalists are concerned about the downsizing of the two Pridnestrovian state unitary enterprises - ERES and Water Supply and Sanitation. Vadim Krasnoselsky said that on the eve he instructed the Government to suspend the decisions of the leaders of these organizations.
Another item in the current schedule of the President, which Vadim Krasnoselsky mentioned, is a meeting with a potential Russian investor. It took place immediately before talking with reporters. The President spoke about it, answering a question about the state of affairs with attracting investments in Pridnestrovie. He spoke about legislative changes, administrative measures aimed at increasing the investment attractiveness of the republic, the interest of internal and external investors in investing in the development of economy.
The President’s interlocutors smiled and applauded the news that he announced that December 31 of this year was declared a day off. A corresponding decree has been signed today. At the same time, the President noted that the working day will not be lost. He will be transferred to one of the following Saturdays. Vadim Krasnoselsky considers it advisable to schedule volunteer Saturday work for this date.
The President concluded the meeting with congratulation of journalistic community on New Year and Merry Christmas.
