Question: What are your impressions about the conference and the trip in general?
Vladimir Putin: The conference, which was scheduled to be held two months ago, is taking place on the initiative of fuel and energy companies. It took us a long time to choose the venue. We decided to hold it here at the invitation of the Khanty-Mansi Region’s Governor and the chief executive officer of Surgutneftegaz. The decision is motivated by the fact that the Khanty-Mansi Region is a leader in hydrocarbon production, refining and exports.
The aim of the conference was to prepare the required materials, to hear the opinion of top industry executives for the purpose of drafting the required government decisions.
The CEOs of some of the fuel and energy sector’s industries are alarmed because the national energy balance that has evolved in the last decade, or in the past 20 years, does not correspond to the changing national and global situation. We must guarantee energy security and make the energy sector and the economy, which relies heavily on the latter, more balanced and more competitive on global markets.
Question: What are the chances for a possible re-division of property in Russia?
Vladimir Putin: Guarantees of owners’ rights are among the most pressing national issues. We must guarantee owners’ rights to own all kinds of property. The owners must be absolutely sure that their rights are protected, regardless of their market status and their relations with the authorities.