Putin urges Western businessmen to be guided by pragmatism, common sense
SOCHI. Aug 9 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin believes businessmen should be guided by pragmatism and common sense despite volatile political trends.
"Commercial success is determined by efficient international cooperation today. The business community, including major companies, both domestic and foreign ones, perfectly understands this and, despite difficulties in current political trends, pragmatism and common sense still prevail, and this is really pleasing," Putin said during a video conference with the West Alpha floating drilling platform in the Kara Sea.
"In our view, this is a truly responsible and businesslike approach. This is the only way for it to be productive. We certainly welcome this position. And, in turn, we are open to expanding cooperation with our partners," he said.
Rosneft and ExxonMobil are beginning a joint project on drilling an exploratory well on the Kara Sea shelf, a project that Putin called unique in many ways.
"Advanced technologies will be employed here. A large amount of geological prospecting surveys have been conducted, and special nature conservation measures have been prepared," Putin said, adding that Rosneft and ExxonMobil attach priority to the project's environmental aspect "in this region very sensitive in ecological terms."
This major project has become possible due to a combination of Rosneft's and ExxonMobil's efforts, he said.
"Practice shows that such substantial, high-technology, and large world-class projects are virtually impossible to carry out on one's own, or at least this is very difficult," he said.
Putin called ExxonMobil Russia's longstanding and reliable partner. "We value our relations. I am convinced that Rosneft's joint projects with ExxonMobil and other companies would benefit our national economies and help strengthen a global energy situation, develop breakthrough technologies, and create new jobs," he said.
In conclusion, Putin thanked everyone involved in developing offshore fields in the Arctic region. "I know you are facing major work. I am sure that, as always, you will carry it out at the highest professional level," he said.