Putin on Russia's national priority for 21st century

For Russia, the Far East growth is a national priority for the 21st century, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an article for the media of APEC nations ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders' summit in Vietnam on November 10-11.

"We are talking about creating territories of advanced economic growth in that region, pursuing large-scale development of natural resources, and supporting advanced high-tech industries, as well as investing in human capital, education and healthcare, and forming competitive research centers," Putin said.

"We hope that our foreign partners, primarily from APEC economies, will play an active role in implementing these programs and projects," the President added. "All the more so, as foreign participants of the annual Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok already had a chance to gain confidence in the prospects and feasibility of our plans."