New national projects to be approved in Russia before year's end - Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO. April 27 (Interfax) - New national projects should be approved before the end of 2024, while current results will be discussed at a joint meeting of the State Council and the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects in May, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"The government is preparing corresponding national projects together with constituent territories of the [Russian] Federation. They should be approved before the end of the year. We will discuss the current results of our work and will elaborate the main approaches to achieving targets designated in the address at a joint meeting of the State Council and the Council for National Projects in May," Putin said at a meeting addressing economic issues on Saturday.

"A lot needs to be done in these and other areas over the next six years," he said.

"Additional resources should work for the sustainable, long-term development of our cities and villages, and reduce inequality in the socio-economic potential of territories. Every citizen, irrespective of their place of residence, must have equal opportunities. Everything matters, including the condition of so-called childhood infrastructure, which includes kindergartens, schools, hobby groups, activities and recreation camps, the development of healthcare and cultural systems, the environmental well-being of communities, conditions for the young's self-realization, the launch of entrepreneurial initiatives, and so on," Putin said.