OREANDA-NEWS Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed to the need to increase the incomes of residents of Crimea and to equalize the prices of certain types of goods.

At a meeting with members of the government, the head of state noted that many problems on the Peninsula are being successfully solved. "However, there are problems. This is, first of all, an increase in the level of income of Crimeans and Sevastopol residents, it is the need to equalize the prices of some goods," Putin said. He specified that means "not all, but groups of goods, including food". For example, the President cited dairy products, the prices of which "in the Crimea and Sevastopol are higher than in neighboring regions".

"We need to think about the development of health care and education," the head of state said. He proposed to discuss these and other issues at the current meeting and "to take the necessary decisions to move in addressing these issues necessary for us, for people who live in the Crimea and Sevastopol, at a pace."

According to Putin, in the five years since the reunification of Crimea with Russia, "a lot has been done to integrate Crimea and Sevastopol into the legal, economic, social space of Russia, a lot of attention has been paid and funds allocated for infrastructure projects, for transport." The President recalled the recent opening of two power plants in Crimea with a total capacity of 940 MW, which provide 90% of the current electricity consumption on the Peninsula. "In General, the opportunities in the field of energy have doubled, this is a lot, it allows not only to cover all the growing needs of Crimea and Sevastopol, but also, if necessary, even to supply electricity to other regions of the Russian Federation," the head of state believes. He added that in this way it is possible not to actively use the previously created energy bridge.

"Highway cost "Tavrida" in transport accessibility increases tourist flow - up to 7 million [people] he grew up in 2018," - said Putin.