PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY. June 24 (Interfax) - Russia has no plans to hand over the South Kuril Islands, President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with Sergei Brilyov's Vesti v Subboty program aired by the television channel Rossiya 1 (VGTRK).
"We have no such plans," Putin said in response to the question whether the Russian flag hoisted on the South Kuril Islands might have to be taken down.
In Putin's words, the government is set to develop these territories. "We have vast development programs for the Far East, including the South Kuril Islands. These programs will be implemented to boost the economy, the fishery industry, and other sectors. We will be developing local infrastructure, as well," he said.