Georgy Muradov: "We want rights of Russians to be respected in Ukraine the same way as rights of Ukrainians observed in Crimea"

The majority of Russian (88%) are positive about Crimea’s reunification with Russia, according to the results of the poll conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the reunification of Crimea and Sevastopol with Russia. Another important step has been taken yesterday to strengthen the energy security of the peninsula - Russian President Vladimir Putin has given a start to operation of Balaklavskaya and Tavricheskaya thermal power plants (TPP) in Crimea with full capacity. Crimea's Vice Prime Minister Georgy Muradov told Vestnik Kavkaza about the peninsula's social and economic development.

- What are the results of five years following Crimea's reunification with Russia?

- Today, all Crimeans clearly realize that five years ago they made the right choice, and the world is becoming more and more convinced that this choice is legitimate and fair. As for the economy, the Federal Target Program (FTP) for the development of Crimea, which is extended beyond 2020, is of great importance. Under this program, about 900 billion rubles were allocated, a bridge was built across the Kerch Strait - the bridge for automobile traffic is already in full operation, and the railway will be opened at the end of the year. A beautiful, high-level highway 'Tavrida' is being built, which crosses the entire Crimean peninsula from Kerch to Sevastopol through Simferopol with the Evpatoria branch. Social facilities are being built and restored: schools, hospitals, kindergartens; enterprises, sanatorium-resort complexes; hotel industry is developing. The federal targeted program also includes projects related to the development of culture, development of the peoples of Crimea, and support of national languages. After all, we have three state languages - Russian, Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar.

In short, the FTP is a comprehensive mechanism for the development of the Crimean economy and the Crimean society; the total socio-economic development of Crimea. Even some Ukrainian journalists recognized that over five years Crimea received strong support from Russia, the population of Crimea  was moved by the dream of raising the level of their well-being. Compared to the 23 years of Crimea as part of Ukraine, the data for five years as part of Russia is very revealing: Crimea's industrial production over the past five years has increased 2.5 times, the budget's expenditures have grown 4.5 times. And if one takes five years before Crimea's reunification with Russia (2009-2013), then there was a decline in production by 5%, the budget was constantly reduced or stagnated. Today, Crimea lives a different life with the whole country. There is the realization that the great Russia - the homeland of Crimeans - stands behind us. We are bound by a thousand-year history. And this awareness gives new energy and new strength to the people of Crimea.

- What economic sectors are developing in Crimea most actively?

- Tourism is one of Crimea's key sectors. Last year, about 7 million tourists visited Crimea. Approximately 80-83% were Russian tourists, but there were also guests from abroad, in particular from China. Industries related to agricultural production and processing are also developing. It's warm in Crimea, so the production of early fruits and vegetables here is promising and profitable. A reprocessing industry has been established - flour mills, production of vegetable oils, and so on. We have a very interesting direction - essential oil cultures.

For five years, industrial production increased by 2.5 times. These are chemical industry, mechanical engineering, starting from large shipbuilding, optical instruments, welding equipment, ending with electromechanical devices, electromechanical equipment. All this gives Crimea an impetus to become an integrated part of the entire Russian economy. Basically today Crimea works on the Russian economy and on the Russian market.

- Are there investors from other countries?

- There are dozens of such investors, but we do not disclose them, because otherwise they will be prosecuted in Western countries, hindering the development of their business. They enter Crimea through other subjects of the Russian Federation, including the Krasnodar Territory. There are entrepreneurs who tap into Crimea's market openly. Our important partner is Syria, which currently needs a lot of resources for post-war reconstruction. We expect that all our Crimean seaports will eventually be actively involved in the carriage of goods to Syria. Syria also has a lot of interesting products that are required not only in Crimea, but whole Russia as well - citrus fruits, olives, southern fruits and phosphates. Syrian textiles, cotton fabrics have always been famous. Crimea is actively entering into foreign economic activity, but our main support is that we are integrated into the economic, political, and legal systems of the Russian Federation.

- How are inter-ethnic relations developing in Crimea?

- The federal target program provides for the development of languages and cultures of peoples living on the peninsula. They talked about the violation of Crimean Tatars' rights, but it was before Crimea's reunification with Russia. The Crimean Tatar language is one of the three state languages along with Russian and Ukrainian. The education system provides education in the Crimean Tatar language. There are libraries, theaters, musical groups and even a university, where Crimean Tatars mainly study, a number of subjects are taught there in the Crimean Tatar language. The Republic of Crimea is trying to satisfy all the needs of the Crimean Tatar people.

Some are trying to push for recognition of extremist organizations, such as the 'Mejlis' (the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People public association has been eliminated and banned in the territory of the Russian Federation - VK), but de jure it doesn't exist now. The Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People chose a new body 'Shura', that is, the 'council'. If someone tries to conduct extremist activity, then according to the law of the Russian Federation, it is not allowed, but this is not related to national identity.

Therefore, the Crimean Tatar people live in Crimea in absolutely favorable conditions, as well as the Ukrainian one. We have 15% of Ukrainian population, and the Ukrainian language is a state language. Ukrainian culture and education are developing, there are classes with the Ukrainian language of instruction. We want Crimea to be an example for our neighboring states, for the same Ukraine. We want the rights of Russians to be respected in Ukraine the same way as the rights of Ukrainians are respected in Crimea. This also applies to other post-Soviet countries, in particular the Baltic States. Today, Crimea is setting an example of a democratic attitude to the rights of peoples.

- How is the anniversary of Crimea's reunification celebrated?

- Today is the central day when the agreement on Crimea's reunification with Russia was signed. The fact that our president is in the Crimea has further raised the spirit of the Crimean people. There is a growing feeling that we are part of a single great whole. It is a very important feeling: either you are small and abandoned, or you are part of a great, powerful, strong space, moreover, you are an inseparable part of it. The Crimean Spring festival is taking place in many regions of Russia now. This holiday is far from being only Crimean - reunification concerns the entire Russian people, our entire country.

- What are your goals for the next five years?

- Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Aksenov described previous five years as five years of victories. I would call the next five years - five years of development. We know from history that the second five-year plan has always been a turning point. We think that it will be five years of prosperity, well-being of the Crimean people as part of a great Russia.