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President Vladimir Putin: Good Day,

I am very happy to have the opportunity to meet with you and congratulate you on the outstanding result that you demonstrated at the programming contest.

I often meet with Russian sportsmen, and recently there have been more and more occasions to congratulate them. Meetings of this kind do not take place often here, even though young people have the opportunity to show the fundamental potential of Russian education. Because we do have this fundamental education.

I think that you and your teachers – and as I was told, they are called trainers in this case – know even better what our plusses are and what our minuses are. I think, however, that if we develop the best things that we have in our fundamental education, to match it with the demands of the Russian and the international labour market, and develop this for the benefit of the Russian economy, then people will benefit from this, and the country will have even more plusses.

You know that the Russian government intends to develop so-called innovative technology, a new economy that is based on information technology. And furthermore, you have achieved a good result yourselves, and given a very good example for many people about how to act in this sphere.

But at the same time, there is something else I would like to draw your attention to.

It just so happens that only 30% of Russian programmers in the regions can find work in their field. This shows that the development of telecommunications services is very important for us. If we achieve this – and we will strive to do so – then this will truly make it possible to increase our potential in the sphere of the new economy, as I said earlier.

I congratulate you once again, and wish you success!