President issues instructions on Crimea's development

14:57

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said he intends to attract large-scale investments into Crimea, while speaking in Simferopol on Tuesday after a meeting on the development of Crimea.

The head of state said that draft presidential orders have been prepared, which will include the proposals made at the meeting. Ukrainian scientists and experts will be involved into the development of a strategy for the development of Crimea, the president said.

Yanukovych assured that the Ukrainian authorities intend to create conditions and engage all available resources in attracting investments into Crimea and Ukraine as a whole.

In addition, Yanukovych asked the European Commission to assist in drafting the strategy of Crimea's development, taking into account the pilot project for the development of the autonomy, which the European Commission intends to implement together with the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

The president paid special attention to the development of transport infrastructure, in particular, the renovation of Simferopol International Airport.

In addition, Yanukovych noted that Crimea's energy sector should be developed, involving environmental technologies such as renewable energy resources (solar and wind power).

The president has also issued instructions on the reconstruction of power lines in Crimea. He said that the gas pipeline network should be developed in the autonomy. The financial infrastructure of Crimea should be developed as well, the president said.