Cooperation with the Far East region’s neighbours should focus on joint endeavours in the high-technology fields (particularly in energy, aircraft manufacturing, and the space sector), thereby strengthening Russia’s position in the Asia-Pacific region’s international organisations, the President said.
Mr Medvedev noted that integration with the Asia-Pacific region countries offers great potential for developing the economy of the Far East and Russia in general. Such integration should be supplemented with relocation of goods, works and services from one part of the country to another while promoting closer cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region to the benefit of the eastern areas of Russia.
Among the biggest problems of the Far Eastern Federal District, the President named the population outflow, which it has not yet been possible to stem. This is the most worrying trend and major threat in the region and it requires constant attention. To change the situation the region must improve its general competitiveness and quality of life. The success of these efforts will depend in large part on competent state social policy, and economic progress, including broader cooperation with neighbouring countries, which lack raw materials and energy resources, and where consumer demand is on the rise.