OREANDA-NEWS. June 22, 2010. Transcript of the beginning of the meeting: Vladimir Putin: Mr Kibovsky, let's start by discussing the protection of cultural monuments. A major discussion regarding the cooperation between the federal government and the regions continues. What is the real situation like today?

Alexander Kibovsky: First, I would like to go back 18 months when you criticised the way cultural monuments were protected at the October 13, 2008 meeting of the Government Presidium. At that time, the federal law on the protection of cultural heritage was labeled a complete fiasco because not a single bylaw had been passed in six years. This was mainly the cause of many of the problems you mentioned. At that time, we were given the high priority task to improve the situation in 2009.

In 2009, we drafted and passed 15 regulatory documents related to this. Consequently, the relevant legal framework has been established. Moreover, we have passed such key documents as the Statute on Historical-Cultural Expert Checks, the Statute on State Control in the Sphere of Monuments Protection, a new form of a cultural-sites passport, as well as joint register provisions and an entire package of documents making it possible to activate the law's mechanisms.

The long-neglected subventions issue has been resolved because all federal authority was assigned to the regions starting on January 1, 2008. The federal government retains only that authority which is linked with administrative and regulatory procedures. At that time, this decision was not backed by subventions. This created a legal vacuum making it impossible to protect the monuments.

Starting in 2010, the regions have received 267 million roubles in subventions. The allocations have been transferred to the regions on schedule, and work has been launched. We have started receiving reports. In effect, the vertical administration system which was nearly lost in 2008 has now been restored completely. We hope that all of the problems will be eliminated completely this year, and that regular work will get underway in 2011.

This is why I think this problem with the regions has now been solved. We are currently streamlining the required reports and financial documents with the regions. And I hope that the required corrections regarding subventions will be submitted to the 2011 budget on time.

Vladimir Putin: How do you think this system regarding the upkeep and use of cultural sites will work in the regions?

Alexander Kibovsky: There will be a substantial difference because we have equal rights and implement common projects. Specific results are achieved in those regions whose governors care about the protection of cultural monuments. Unfortunately, the administrations of regions whose governors show a careless attitude will use the authority passed to them to the detriment of cultural monuments, rather than for their own good. We also see this.

We have now started reacting very sternly to such responses. We are cooperating with the Prosecutor-General's Office. In late 2009, the Prosecutor-General's Office and our service submitted amendments to our famous Law 294-FZ stipulating scheduled checks in case a cultural monument faces possible damage.

You said that the number of such checks should be minimised. In this case, however, lawmakers agreed that monument-protection agencies should react promptly to such neglect.

Although we have transferred the relevant authority to the regions, we do not absolve ourselves of all responsibility. Last year, we conducted over a thousand reviews of specific facts and cases. We drew records, opened administrative cases and submitted the relevant materials to the concerned agencies.

Vladimir Putin: Good.