Moscow- The President of the Republic said LuhanskLeonid Pasichnik, said that the Republic made great strides forward after its decision to join Russia, and that it was able to overcome many of the difficulties it faced due to the war with Ukraine.
Pasichnik added, in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera Net, that Luhansk is witnessing major changes in various fields, and that the development process of the economy is proceeding well, thanks to the great support it receives from the center (Moscow).
Regarding the upcoming presidential elections, Pasechnik confirmed that the general mood within the republic is for the re-election of the current president Vladimir Putin For a new presidential term, for the services and support he provided to the population.
Below is the full text of the meeting:
-
More than a year has passed since the Lugansk People’s Republic joined Russia. What did this step give to the Republic, and what changes did it bring to the lives of ordinary people, and to their economic and social conditions?
The accession of the Republic of Lugansk to the Russian Federation was a major event for us and opened up great horizons for us. Although hostilities are still ongoing and the enemy continues to attempt to bomb our peaceful cities and villages, life is going on normally. Restoration work is underway, and the federal authorities are helping us in this, in addition to those who responded to the initiative of President Vladimir Putin and took care of various regions in our republic.
We are still continuing to restore residential buildings, roads and social facilities, such as hospitals, schools, kindergartens and cultural institutions. The workload is enormous, and new facilities are brought into operation almost weekly. Restoration work has already been completed at more than 3,500 sites, including about 1,800 residential buildings, about 500 social facilities, and more than 800 public infrastructure facilities.
In addition, more than 60 medical institutions were rebuilt and renovated with nearly 3,000 units of new equipment, as well as the ambulance fleet was modernized by 90%, and more than 1,000 kilometers of roads were repaired.
The capital also began to change before our eyes, in the literal sense of the word, with the opening of parks, in addition to the establishment of similar projects in other regions. A large part of these places was severely damaged during battles. It is now being restored and updated. We can confirm today that our republic is a socially oriented region.
Last year, we introduced more than 100 actions in this direction. From the most qualified medical care, opportunities to study in the best Russian universities, serious financial support for young mothers and children, a decent pension, unlimited opportunities for young people… all this and much more is now available to every resident of the republic.
And these are not all the changes for the better that have occurred in the republic in just over a year. The credit for this goes to Russia and its president.
-
Many residents of the Republic were forced to leave their homes due to the war. How are the conditions now regarding their return to their homes?
Many of the Republic’s residents did not leave their homes even in 2014, during the most difficult months of the confrontations, when the fighting was at its peak. The bulk of those who left returned as soon as the situation calmed down, even if only slightly. Even people who doubted the possibility of returning are seeing them return; Because they see the changes happening for the better.
This is evident from the increase in demands for housing in the Republic. So in the very near future, construction of 10 housing units with a total area of 70 thousand square meters will begin in Lugansk and Sverdlovsk. This will provide comfortable housing for about 1,000 families. I am convinced that this is just the beginning, and in the future the volume of housing construction will grow.
The situation is more complicated in cities on the front lines, where bombing threats continue. But despite this, life goes on smoothly there as well.
-
How do you see the future of the Republic after the end of the war, with regard to its ability to develop the economy, investments, and the agricultural sector?
Luhansk has always had huge industrial potential. And now our main task is to restore it, launch enterprises, modernize them as much as possible and increase the volume and markets of product sales. Only in this way will we be able to develop the economy of the Republic.
With its accession to Russia, the republic received many opportunities. Our industrialists, businessmen and farmers constantly feel strong support from the state. For example, starting from July 1, 2023, a free economic zone was established in new regions of Russia.
This is a special regime for entrepreneurs, which provides certain tax advantages. And now we can already talk about a steadily growing investment activity of the business. Besides, measures are being taken to implement the regional investment standard.
My decisions have already approved the Investment Declaration and we have established an Investment Committee. This process is scheduled to be completed in 2024, after which a regional law on this matter will be adopted, which will guarantee government support and protection for investors.
Other government assistance measures include providing financial support to manufacturers in the form of targeted loans through the Regional Industrial Development Fund, which has successfully financed projects for 14 industrial enterprises with a total value of more than $100 million.
Representatives of SMEs now have the opportunity to obtain preferential loans, participate in purchases from key customers, purchase equipment for rent, undergo training and develop their business.
This is facilitated through the Federal Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development and the Entrepreneurship Support Fund in the Republic. Several economic recovery mechanisms have been launched. We are already seeing the first results, and I am confident that Luhansk will soon be able not only to fully restore its unique industrial potential, but also to develop it.
-
How are preparations being made in the republic to participate in the presidential elections in Russia, scheduled for next March?
The presidential elections in Russia will undoubtedly become one of the main events of the coming year. The leading political parties have nominated their candidates for this position. Recently, a general headquarters for monitoring the Russian presidential elections was opened in Luhansk.
Its participants plan to hold weekly meetings, participate in Election Commission activities, hold seminars and train observers, accept applications from nominated observers, and, ultimately, observe voting procedures directly. Hence, the election procedures will be as transparent as possible.
We will try to do everything we can to ensure complete security for all participants in the electoral process. Our specialized agencies already have experience in this type of work. I know that the majority of the population of the republic plans to support the candidacy of the current President Vladimir Putin in the elections.
Signatures have already been collected to support his candidacy, and a headquarters has been opened to support him in the elections. Thanks to his leadership and the initiatives he introduced, the people of Donbas returned to their homes, gaining many new opportunities and confidence in the future. We are very grateful to President Putin for this, and we want him to continue to lead the country.
