OREANDA-NEWS. November 22, 2011. Dmitry Medvedev continued the series of meetings with the regional media. In Rostov-on-Don, the President met with media representatives from the Southern and North Caucasus federal districts.

This is Dmitry Medvedev's third meeting with regional media representatives. In Khabarovsk the President talked with journalists from the Far East and Siberia and in Ufa he met with media representatives from the Volga Federal District.

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Excerpts from transcript of meeting with media representatives of the Southern and North Caucasus federal districts

PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA DMITRY MEDVEDEV: I visited the North Caucasus Federal District in the morning, the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. We talked about different matters but I also wanted to talk to our officers from the 58th Army, who are stationed there – the army headquarters is located there. Why? It is a special place, this is my third or fourth trip there and it is actually the place where we analysed the 2008 campaign results and the military operations we conducted to force Georgia to peace.

I have already told the officers today and can tell you as well that I think it was a very trying chapter of Russia’s contemporary history, but unfortunately, it was absolutely necessary. The fact that Russia adopted such a tough line at the time ultimately ensured that the situation is much more peaceful now, in spite of certain difficulties.

We were able to calm down some of our neighbours by showing them how they should behave with regard to Russia and small adjacent states. For some of our partners, including NATO, it was a signal that they must think about the geopolitical stability before making a decision to expand the alliance. I see this as the main lessons of what happened in 2008.

Today I noted the heroism of our servicemen and those who unfortunately died in the conflict: the peacemakers and those who served in the Armed Forces at the time. We talked about the Armed Forces reform and virtually everyone believes that, despite some rough spots, we made a big stride forward in terms of military pay, which increased by 150-200% (this is an unprecedented step), and housing, as well as the supply of new weapons.

Later I had a fascinating meeting with the republic’s leadership, as well as with representatives of major social groups, public associations and intelligentsia. That was also a very good meeting. We talked about various issues, ranging from kindergartens to healthcare, education and ethnic tolerance, which is especially important in southern Russia and in the Caucasus. In general, it was a very meaningful conversation.

Now I have come to visit you and have already managed to have a brief talk with your Governor on the way; I have also had a meeting with the governors of all regions in the Southern and the North Caucasus federal districts. We met to touch base but also to discuss the situation with the elections, because I head the United Russia party list and the governors also lead many regional lists, and we compared notes on the campaign’s progress, which is probably quite natural. And my final stop for today is this meeting with you.

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Thank you for asking me [about the Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly] for two reasons: first, it gives me a chance to share with you how my preparations for the Address have been going, because some time ago I had no opportunity to talk about it and that gave rise to speculations about what is happening with the Address. And, secondly, it is always a pleasure to share my thoughts.

Briefly about the Address itself: the work on it is in progress. I must admit I was planning to deliver the Address on November 23, but some time ago I decided to postpone it for several reasons. To be honest, I wanted more time to think about certain issues because this is my last Presidential Address, in the short term at least, and whether there will be any more addresses from me remains to be seen.

Therefore, it is important to draw conclusions and outline plans for the future, to talk about how we should tackle the modernisation of our country, our economy, our society and our political system, and it should be a comprehensive approach. It is easier to analyse the results, to talk about what has been done and what has not been done, but the vision of the future is a complicated matter, so I continue to consult with the experts, the Executive Office and the Government. I have also held consultations with the large, or open government. It is a new expert group, the sounding board on which I now rely. That is why I decided to postpone the Address.

There is also a second argument; it is formal but very important. I would like to deliver the Address – and the Presidential Address is always a policy programme – to the new members of the State Duma. I am on excellent terms with the current members of the State Duma but the new deputies will be there for the next five years and it is very important for us to establish contact, especially since we have plans to continue working together if we get the mandate from the people to govern the state and the State Duma, and the presidential mandate. That is exactly why I postponed the Address to the Federal Assembly.

As for the content, I have just told you about it. Don’t try to find any subtle nuances otherwise you’ll get bored.