Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin does not rule out that only Russian-flagged fishing vessels could operate in Russia’s territorial waters. As Mr. Putting said, such a restriction may be imposed in case foreign shipbuilders would not agree to cooperate with the Russian side.
"We have been told by fishermen and cargo carriers - give us the opportunity to buy comfortable and modern vessels. But our shipbuilders do not produce such ships. Therefore, we must create the conditions so such vessels could be constructed in Russia: to build here shipyards, to work out a development plan to attract foreign partners, foreign experts and technologies,” Mr. Putin was quoted as saying. “But we must also show the Western producers that if they are unwilling to cooperate with us, at some stage we will have to tighten the customs screws, to raise import duties and will grant permission for work only to those vessels that sail under the Russian flag, only to ships built in Russia”.
At the same time, according to Mr. Putin, "we can not and will not do this immediately, so as not to undermine the fishing industry”.
"We have been told by fishermen and cargo carriers - give us the opportunity to buy comfortable and modern vessels. But our shipbuilders do not produce such ships. Therefore, we must create the conditions so such vessels could be constructed in Russia: to build here shipyards, to work out a development plan to attract foreign partners, foreign experts and technologies,” Mr. Putin was quoted as saying. “But we must also show the Western producers that if they are unwilling to cooperate with us, at some stage we will have to tighten the customs screws, to raise import duties and will grant permission for work only to those vessels that sail under the Russian flag, only to ships built in Russia”.
At the same time, according to Mr. Putin, "we can not and will not do this immediately, so as not to undermine the fishing industry”.