OREANDA-NEWS. Dmitry Medvedev: Good afternoon once again, everyone. Hello. I hope that the Muscovites are awake. I recall speaking here almost five years ago. I consider this to be a special platform. The forum started a bit earlier, and many guests from Moscow were sitting with their eyes half-closed. This time, the forum’s organisers have opted for a more humane approach. This is why I hope that we will be able to discuss our current life and plans for the future.

I did indeed make a certain policy statement here five years ago. I formulated my vision for the country’s development over the next few years, and I submitted the concept of the so-called Four I’s: institutions, infrastructure, innovation and investment. Intellect, the fifth “I,” was subsequently added to these four. I believe that, on the whole, none of these five “I’s” have lost their relevance since then. Today, we can talk about our achievements and failures. But, most importantly, we should talk about how we will move forward.

Two weeks ago, I approved the Policy Priorities of the Government of the Russian Federation  to 2018. The relevant work will be and is already being carried out in a new format, in the format of the so-called state programmes. We have mapped out specific targets and the resources needed to achieve these targets. This includes programmes for the development of industry and agriculture, modernisation of education and healthcare, environmental protection and security, as well as many other programmes. I don’t want to waste time on repeating various conclusions and factors, which currently dominate the global economy, bringing instability and uncertainty. They are obvious to the Government and to the business community, whose representatives are present here, and to experts. You know all this perfectly well.

But it is clear that it is no longer possible to revert to the so-called pre-crisis growth model in this country and probably in many other countries. We have to search for a new model. We have to be honest and admit that there is now in Russian society a sustained and justified demand for a different quality of life in the broad sense of the word, for a new quality of education, healthcare and the entire social sector. The Government cannot ignore this. And it is impossible to address these issues using ordinary budget investment alone. I mentioned this not so long ago at the Gaidar Forum in Moscow, then at  the World Economic Forum in Davos and subsequently at an expanded Government meeting. I will not repeat myself, but I will only say that such a challenge could not emerge in an underdeveloped and poor state. This is very important. This challenge could not have come about in Russian society say 15 years ago because we were too weak at that time. This demand highlights more impressive standards of living and the country’s sustained movement forwards. To respond to this challenge, we must ensure sustained development, and the annual economic growth has to be at least 5%. This is an extremely difficult task.