Official website of the President of Russia

News   /

The President thanked those present for their very important and efficient work. He noted that the job of the census takers was very difficult, and in some places – as in the North Caucasus and Chechnya – simply dangerous. Vladimir Putin said that the data of the census in Chechnya would help bring life back to normal there, plan social and economic programmes, specifically the payment of compensations for lost housing. Payments will start this autumn, with $350 million earmarked for the purpose.

Assessing the results of the census as a whole, Vladimir Putin stressed that the data recovered are very important for the Government, for the planning of social programmes and economic policies.

Vladimir Putin answered questions from those present. The issue of Russia’s external debts was discussed. The President admitted that the problem of the debt burden was still there, but it was being tackled without external refinancing, partly due to economic growth.

Russia is paying off all its debts. The peak of payments – more than $17 billion – falls in 2003. Russia has no problems paying these debts. The head of state stressed that the ratio between Russia’s external debt and GDP was better than in many other countries.