Lev Kuznetsov: North Caucasus to help other regions

The expansion of mobility, both in professional and educational terms, when residents of the republics of the North Caucasus Federal District will move to the whole territory of Russia, not only to other regions of the North Caucasus, can help both the North Caucasus and Russia as a whole in the current difficult situation, the Minister for Development of the North Caucasus, Lev Kuznetsov, said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza at the Gaidar Forum.

"We see that the demographic situation is positive, but the population is aging. There is a demand for the employment of a qualified labor force, and I am sure that our young people and middle-aged people can be competent after proper organization of work," he said.

"They could find themselves in general on the map of Russia without losing their roots and traditions, and vice versa – talking about the Caucasus, and through that building healthy communication," the minister noted.

In addition, Kuznetsov said that the priority of the government in the North Caucasus today is the social sphere. "We need more kindergartens, schools, hospitals and other social facilities. And the construction of social facilities will solve several problems: it will improve the quality of healthcare and education, eliminate disproportion. On the other hand, it is the creation of new jobs, sources of income, especially in remote areas, which is very important and, therefore, creates social stability," the Minister for Development of the North Caucasus stressed.

According to Kuznetsov, the development of the real economy is no less important. "Industry is very important, but a fast result can be achieved in the agricultural sector, namely in olericulture, production of fruits and berries. The main thing here is the processing and storage systems and, ultimately, the qualitative production," the minister believes.

"This symbiosis of tasks is scheduled to be worked out. I think, in spite of its limitations, it must preserve the positive socio-demographic of the indicators that have been achieved in the Caucasus in recent years. And our task is to maintain that momentum. It is clear that its rate can vary, but it's important for us to have a positive movement," Lev Kuznetsov concluded.