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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Friends, colleagues,

After such general attendance events, we traditionally hold a meeting in a narrower format, if this group can be called that. In any case, I am very pleased to see you. I hope you were not bored listening to what I had to say. As I mentioned at the beginning, I was speaking for a broad audience, but I believe that both the Russian part of today’s audience and our friends from foreign countries were nevertheless interested to hear how we think, where we are looking, and where we are heading. This is always useful.

Once again, in this semi-restricted format, when I spoke about the need to promote – propagate – in the best sense of the word scientific knowledge and early career guidance, when I talk about it I always think about our scientist, our great populariser of science in Soviet and Russian times, Daniil Granin, a writer who, at our last meeting – soon after that he passed away – drew attention precisely to this component. He said, “You know what? You should speak about science more often.” I replied, “We seem to be okay in this regard with all kinds of programmes to this end.” He said, “Programmes are good and important, but you, your colleagues, and the media should speak more often about the role of science, about the role of researchers, about their dedication, their achievements, and the importance of what they do. People are tired of watching on television who stole what, from whom, how, and how much. It’s simply too much! That is why I frequently draw the attention of the Government, the Presidential Executive Office, and media members to how important it is to engage in this sphere of information support for those who devote their lives to scientific research.

Today’s topic is particularly important, because it is multidisciplinary and lies at the intersection of many fields of knowledge. It is undoubtedly very important and holds enormous prospects.

If there is anything I can do for you, support you, I am at your disposal. And I would like to thank the participants of today’s meeting from abroad. Thank you very much for being with us.

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