Sergey Katanandov: state pays great attention to the North Caucasus

Today, the first deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on the Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Self-Governance and Affairs of the North, a representative of the executive body of the Republic of Karelia, Sergey Katanandov, visited the studio of Vestnik Kavkaza. On the 'Tribune' show he told about resorts of the North Caucasus and what is necessary to do for their future development.

The senator pointed out that the Russian authorities are doing a great job making the resorts of the North Caucasus Federal District and Southern Russia even better. "The Ministry of the North Caucasus is responsible for this work and Speaker Valentina Matviyenko is its 'locomotive' in the Federal Assembly Federation Council," he noted.

According to Katanandov, regular meetings at different levels on the development of the North Caucasus are being held by the government. "For example, a decree on the establishment of a ‘governmental hour’ was issued at the end of the last meeting where the Minister for the North Caucasus Lev Kuznetsov spoke. An extensive decree designed to support people living and working in the Caucasus was issued. It is primarily has to do with improving of investment attractiveness. The goal is to create new work places, consolidating people and so on. In recent days, our committee held an away session in Ingushetia dedicated to the implementation of the federal program also aimed at creating jobs, promoting security, supporting Ingushetia's government in its new beginnings,'' the parliamentarian said.

The fact that a special ministry was created means that the government pays a lot of attention to the North Caucasus, he said. "And the Caucasus are in the focus of President Vladimir Putin's and the government’s attention. It is very important. There are only two such ministries in Russia: the ministry on the North Caucasus and the ministry on the Far East. It is a powerful tool," the first deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on the Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Self-Governance and Affairs of the North said.

"As for the participation of the Federation Council, we have a personal creative plan by Valentina Matvienko regarding Kislovodsk - the Kislovodsk National Park and everything which is connected with the resorts of Mineralnye Vody. The last document of the Federation Council, dedicated to the North Caucasus, is called the "Comprehensive plan for the development of the city of Kislovodsk in the period of 2015-2030," the senator said.

One of the most promising areas in the North Caucasus are national parks, Katanandov noted.  "We will open such a park in Kislovodsk, which is to be financed from the federal budget. Our Senator who represents the Stavropol Region Mikhail Afanasyev had recently a large meeting on behalf of Valentina Matvienko. According to the results, we sent Valentina Matvienko numerous new proposals. The work is being carried out quite successfully,'' the politician said.

"This large-scale and important work will be continued. At the last meeting, we again spoke about Kislovodsk, summed up the results, set new goals and tasks. Above all, it is necessary to continue restoration of unique sights. Historically Kislovodsk is a unique place; there are many historical and cultural monuments of regional and federal importance. First of all, the reconstruction should take place at the so called ‘Entrance area’. Second, there are a lot of abandoned healthcare centers. We need to breathe new life into the medical cluster, restore resorts of the North Caucasus. It will be necessary to negotiate with the owners or attract federal funds for the development,'' the senator said.