In his address to the Federal Assembly Vladimir Putin mentions Kazan among the country’s powerful scientific centres

On March 1, delivering his annual Address to the Federal Assembly at the Manezh Central Exhibition Hall, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin stated that Kazan together with Samara, Tomsk, Novosibirsk and some other cities are the country’s powerful scientific centre.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Chairman of the regional State Council Farid Mukhametshin and other officials represented Tatarstan at the ceremony.

Putin said that the scientific infrastructure and ambitious research projects will attract our compatriots and scientists from other countries to Russia. In this regard, it is necessary to quickly create a legal framework that would enable international research teams to operate in Russia, he continued.

Large scientific and educational centres should begin working to full capacity in Russia. They will integrate the capabilities of universities, academic institutions, and high-tech companies, the President said. "Such centers are already being established in Kazan and Samara, Tomsk and Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg and Tyumen, Vladivostok, Kaliningrad and other cities. It is important to focus them on the implementation of major interdisciplinary projects, including in such a promising area as genome research,” Putin said.

He noted that a cardinal breakthrough in this area will open the way to developing new methods for diagnosing, preventing and treating many diseases, and will also expand the possibilities in selection and agriculture.

During the presentation of his Address Putin also cited Kazan as a city that has successful experience in renovating the urban environment and infrastructure.

We need to create a modern living environment, to transform our cities and villages. In doing this, we must make sure that they preserve their identity and historical heritage, Putin went on to say.

“We already have positive experience in renovating the urban environment and infrastructure. Let me elaborate on this point. Kazan, Vladivostok and Sochi have experience in doing this. Many regional capitals and smaller cities are changing,” the President stated and suggested launching a large-scale spatial development programme in Russia, which would include cities and other settlements.