Russian senators discuss integration of Crimea

Valery Ryazansky, head of the Federation Council committee for social policy of Russia, and Andrey Isayev, head of the Duma committee for labour, social policy and veterans, have discussed Crimea's integration into Russia today. Isayev said that executives were checking the inventory of social elements and preparing to integrate the region into Russia by January 1, 2015. He said Crimea may need a special status to solve all its problems. Crimea may also implement regional norms similar to the ones in 16 Russian regions.

Ryazansky noted that he had spent about a week in Crimea and met veterans and staff of social services. According to the lawmaker, legislation in Crimea was based on the norms of the 2000s. Transition to new norms will continue until late 2015. Ryazansky stated that Crimea will need to form a database of citizens with benefits and make amendments to the laws on pensions. Pensions in Crimea are half of the sum of those in Russia.

Ryazansky said that the healthcare budget of Crimea was poor and the local population will have additional expenses.  The peninsula has poor insurance societies and needs a licensing system for healthcare centers.

The legislator believes that Crimea will benefit from developing agriculture, industry, viniculture and the wine business. He added that major sports and recreational centers will open.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said that legitimacy of the upcoming elections in Ukraine will depend on transparency and account of regional interests, RIA Novosti reports.He stated that Russia wanted constitutional reforms to protect interests of regions.Russian and US chief diplomats met in Paris yesterday and agreed that Ukraine needed a constitutional reform involving all regions and federalization