Medvedev ordered to prepare Sevastopol base development program within a month

04.05.2010 Dmitry Medvedev, the President of the Russian Federation and Supreme Commander of Russian Armed Forces tasked defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov to prepare development program of Sevastopol naval base within a month.

Russia and Ukraine recently ratified the agreement providing prolongation of Russia's Black Sea Fleet (BSF) deployment in Crimea after 2017. The term of deployment was extended for 25 years with possible further prolongation for 5 years.

"Within a month along with associated authorities you could prepare an appropriate development plan of BSF naval base in Sevastopol and submit it for my approval", said Medvedev at working meeting with Serdiukov.

"Certainly. In a month", Serdiukov answered.

"Involve all necessary resources, because it's time to address the issue", pointed out Medvedev.

"We should work on social conditions of the base. It is critical that our mariners live in up-to-date, comfortable, and adequate conditions as long as have the opportunities to work and take rest; and the base must provide such conditions", stated the president.

"By the way, we've agreed that our naval base would make an appropriate contract with Ukrainian party, i.e. city of Sevastopol", he said having added that in accordance with such contract Russia would render socioeconomic assistance to some Sevastopol's initiatives.

"Indeed, this city's our history, so we have to seek participating in such programs in military, diplomatic and business areas", Medvedev said.

The Russian president also congratulated the minister on the Labor Day and asked him to repeat these compliments to all personnel of the Russian armed forces.