Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin speaks at a plenary session of the “Development of Small Towns and Historic Settlements” forum at the Far Eastern Federal University. Photo: Alexander Astafiev/POOL/TASS
On Monday, Mikhail Mishustin began a trip to the cities of the Far East and Siberia. This is not the first summer in a row that Mishustin has toured the Far East, but he has yet to be prime minister in Vladivostok. This time it was Vladivostok that became the first item on the work program of the head of the Cabinet. Mishustin will also visit Ulan-Ude, Gorno-Altaisk and Norilsk.
Immediately after arriving in Vladivostok, Mishustin headed for Russky Island, where the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU), one of Russia’s leading universities, is located. The Prime Minister was informed about the development plans of the FEFU, which foresee the construction of the second stage of the campus. The new 3,000-bed shelters will also attract applicants from countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Now more than 15 thousand students from 80 regions of Russia and 3.5 thousand foreigners from 80 countries of the world study at the university. The prime minister talked to the students and also looked at how the admission campaign is going. This year, the FEFU will accept more than 4.5 thousand applicants for the “budget” and about 2 thousand for the paid department.
On the campus of the university, the forum “Development of small towns and historical settlements” is taking place these days. Mishustin toured the thematic exhibition and chatted with alumni of the Architects.rf program. One of the projects was devoted to creating a comfortable urban environment for dogs, special areas for them. Mishustin liked the idea. He noted that 40% of Russians have several pets.
– It’s interesting, just unexpected. It seems to me that this is a creative project – a kind attitude towards animals. It is very promising,” Mishustin said, then asked Primorye chief Oleg Kozhemyako and presidential envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev if they had dogs. Kozhemyako admitted that he has 5 dogs: Beagles, Akita Inu and Shepherd Dog. And Trutnev, as it turned out, has a husky. Hearing this, Mishustin was delighted and asked them to support the construction of dog playgrounds.
Mishustin was also presented with a project to build wooden houses. The prime minister recalled that the authorities had limited the export of “roundwood” from Russia.
– We can cope with the deep processing of wood. I know many companies. For the last five years, this has been a boom in the construction of wooden houses. Not only are they no worse, but they do even better than many companies that were once considered the standards of wooden home construction,” said Mishustin.
Mikhail Mishustin (center) during the presentation of the territorial development of FEFU and the innovative and educational environment of Russky Island on the territory of the Far Eastern Federal University. Photo: Dmitry Astakhov/POOL/TASS
Speaking at the small town development forum, Mishustin called improving life in the hinterland a strategic priority. The prime minister called small towns the backbone of the country, noting that they need the support of the state the most.
“The smaller the settlement, the more difficult it is to find funds for its renovation or improvement, providing modern and comfortable living conditions so that people do not leave their hometowns, but stay there to work and raise a family,” the prime minister said.
Mishustin noted that the practice of online voting on the improvement of cities will develop. This year, more than 14 million people participated in the all-Russian online vote. This is 3.5 million more than the previous year.
“The fountain in the central square, although beautiful, may not please residents if they really need a square, cozy courtyards, playgrounds or sports fields close to their homes,” Mishustin said, explaining the importance of feedback.
Mikhail Mishustin at the presentation of the development projects of Primorsky Krai on the territory of the Far Eastern Federal University. Photo: Dmitry Astakhov/POOL/TASS
Mishustin also recalled that the government had extended the preferential and family mortgage programs until mid-2024. Some 300,000 preferential and family mortgages have already been issued in the last six months. Mishustin also recalled the Far East Mortgage program, which has already been used by more than 73,000 families. Under this program, every second apartment is purchased in the district.
For residents of small settlements, there is a rural mortgage.
– Almost 120,000 loans have been issued in 3.5 years. And recently we have expanded its parameters. Now the maximum loan amount at a rate not exceeding 3% has doubled to 6 million rubles, Mishustin recalled.
The prime minister also said that in the first 6 months of this year, more than 52 million square meters. meters of housing Within two years, there should be no emergency housing in Russia, recognized as such until 2017.
