DIPLOMACY
economic development and is Russia facing the recession that is knocking on the door of the U.S. economy? Russia’s development is fast, which, of course, is not only the result of favourable prices of energy products in the world. Without an appropriate social and economic state policy, we would achieve nothing. In 2003, we had a mid-term goal of doubling the gross domestic product. Various estimates say that we are going to attain this goal by the end of 2009 or in the first quarter of 2010. Last year our economic growth was 8.1%. This year, we are already over 8%. We do have problems with the inflation rate, but many other European countries also have this problem. In 2007, the net influx of foreign capital to Russia amounted to $81 billion. This year, foreign investments are also high. Only in the first half of the year, they amounted to $46.5 billion. We have a double budget surplus and a positive foreign trade balance. Our gold and currency reserves are growing and currently stand at $500 billion. According to this indicator, Russia takes third place in the world, after China and Japan. Moreover, the population’s revenue is growing. In the first half of this year, realterm growth was over 7%, while real salaries grew by almost 13%. So, the Russian economy is relatively stable and has very good prospects. Renowned U.S. magazine Vanity Fair included Prime Minister Putin in its list of the most influential people in the world. One of the found20 CorD / October 2008
ers of Google, Sergey Brin, takes the number three spot. Has Russia embraced capitalism or is capitalism the Russian way? An interesting question. I don’t fully understand putting the Prime Minister of Russia, Vladimir Putin, in the same category as Sergey Brin, who does have Russian background but is a U.S. citizen. Actually, what I want to say is that we are living in a globalised world and, accordingly, we need to abide by certain rules in order to continue growing and advancing our interests.
which was forced to massively intervene in the private financial sector. Still, we are in the same situation, just like most other countries, and they all have their national peculiarities. You arrived to Serbia this year. What came as the biggest surprise to you here? I was very impressed with the feelings of love and respect that Serbian citizens have towards Russia and Russians. I was pleasantly surprised by the demonstration of warmth when Russian people are
Our gold and currency reserves are growing and currently stand at $500 billion.According to this indicator, Russia takes third place in the world, after China and Japan. Moreover, the population’s revenue is growing. In the first half of this year, real-term growth was over 7%, while real salaries grew by almost 13%. So, the Russian economy is relatively stable and has very good prospects What about capitalism in the Russian way? In my opinion, capitalism is of no nationality. Otherwise, we would be talking about capitalism in American, German, French or Serbian way. In Russia, we develop market relations with a strong social orientation. We have our own peculiarities when it comes to our economic development, the place that our economy takes in the international distribution of labour, availability of natural resources, geography and so on. Every country is specific in its own way. Sometimes, you need to be unconventional, like the U.S.
mentioned. I am very glad that Serbs are not only respecting what Russia does, but are also proud of it. When Russians have it tough, Serbs feel a deep compassion. I appreciate this richness of Serbo-Russian human relations that took centuries to build. Have you found a location in Belgrade or Serbia that you are particularly fond of? I like to visit the Russian Church in Belgrade. I like to walk along the beautiful Sava and Danube piers and stroll in your green parks. When I am at Kalemegdan, I can see space above the horizon.