North Caucasus Federal District established in Russia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made a decision to establish the North Caucasus Federal District (NCFD) and appointed Alexander Khloponin Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the district as well as Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, the Kremlin's press office said.



During a working meeting with Mr. Khloponin, President Medvedev stressed that problems in the Caucasus such as unemployment, economic crime, cronyism and bribery cannot be resolved simply by law enforcement procedures - economic methods are necessary as well. Mr. Medvedev also noted that Mr Khloponin's appointment to two high-ranking positions significantly expands his powers.



Alexander Khloponin, a former chairman of the Norilsk Nickel metals giant who won gubernatorial elections in the Taimyr autonomous district in 2001 and in the Krasnoyarsk region the following year, said Tuesday that he would use "economic methods" to tackle the many problems that have accumulated in the North Caucasus.



The President expressed his hope that the experience Mr. Khloponin gained as Governor of Krasnoyarsk Region will be fully relevant in this regard.