Medvedev calls for land privatisation

Moscow, July 25 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has said the country should be prepared for land privatisation.

The land issue has long been a source of heated debate in Russia. Some experts have called for of mass land privatisation, but some government officials claim privatisation is possible only after the cadastral value of land is recalculated, said Medvedev.

"Both positions are justified. I believe we need to prepare for privatisation of land sites after all," he said.

The prime minister said for many years, critics of land privatisation have claimed it represents the ultimate wealth of many generations, which cannot be sold.

"But what do we have as a result? We frequently see the degradation of the land stock and the absence of real possibilities for construction, including housing and social infrastructure. That is why, we need after all to make these decisions," said Medvedev.

Russia established private land ownership when it adopted the 2001 Land Code, ending a decade-long debate in parliament over whether to allow private land sales.

But the Code remained limited, applying to only about two percent of mainly urban land and leaving Russia's vast tracts of farmland untouched.

The Code placed a number of restrictions on foreigners, who were allowed to purchase land but could not receive it for free.

Foreigners were not allowed to own land situated along Russia's borders or in any of the "special territories" established by federal law.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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