[FPSPACE] Space is a priority says president Putin

[Zeger Nuyens]

http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4251271&startrow=1&date=2004-04-27&do_alert=0

> PRESIDENT PUTIN NAMES SPACE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AMONG TOP PRIORITIES
>
> MOSCOW, April 27 (RIA Novosti) - Space research must be conducted 
> dynamically in Russia, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with 
> Russia's aerospace sector managers in the Kremlin on Tuesday.
>
> Space industry "can promote the development of other sectors of the 
> economy and become a tool to resolve many burning problems, like the 
> establishment of the single information space in Russia, the 
> development of telecommunications and navigation systems," said the 
> president.
>
> Mr Putin also emphasised it necessary to ensure an efficient 
> prospecting and use of natural resources and raise the accuracy of 
> natural calamity forecasts.
>
> "Russia's space research achievements must help Russian regions, 
> promoting their economic growth and the development of information 
> technology," said the president.
>
> "We are witnessing a briskly growing demand for the results of space 
> efforts. However, demand is outstripping supply." Space research is a 
> crucial factor for the country's development, according to the head of 
> state. The president emphasised that activities in space ensured 
> Russia's status of a high technology country and promoted its national 
> security, economic growth and greater competitiveness.
>
> "Russia's geographic and geopolitical situation, its vast territories 
> and the longitudinal extent of its borders call for an efficient use 
> and the development of its economic potential," said Mr Putin.
>
> When speaking about international cooperation in outer space, the 
> president said it focused on achieving far-reaching goals in the 
> economic, scientific, environmental and humanitarian spheres.
>
> Federal Space Agency Director Anatoly Perminov, who was present at the 
> meeting, requested President Putin to task the defence ministry, and 
> the industry and energy ministry to prepare a resolution on the 
> minimum number of Russian spacecraft in orbit for the period of time 
> till 2010.
>
> Mr Perminov also spoke out in favour of the further state financing of 
> the Baikonur cosmodrome (which is being leased from Kazakhstan), which 
> launches 65%-70% of all Russian spacecraft.
>
> Besides, Mr Perminov suggested that the Federal Space Agency retain 
> the possibility of settling issues related to space launches from 
> Baikonur with central and regional authorities.
>
> Mr Perminov also believes that the agency should preserve the right to 
> directly deal with other countries' national space agencies. He 
> reported on a total of 70 space projects between Russia and other 
> countries. More specifically Russia is implementing 22 space projects 
> with Europe, 24 projects with China and the United States, 7 with 
> India and 6 with Japan.
>

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Zeger Nuyens
dokter.nuyens at pandora.be