At a meeting of the Irkutsk regional government they discussed the results of Dmitry Medvedevs visit and the fate of the Baikalsk pulp and paper mill. Sergei Sokol said the president supported closing the plant and suggested other production be placed there, and the regional authorities plan to seek transfer of 49 percent of the companys shares to them. It is separately stressed that the interests of workers and the search for alternative projects, including a tourist and recreation zone, are especially important for the region.

Yesterday, a working meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Irkutsk Region was held. It discussed the results of Russian President D. Medvedev’s visit to the Irkutsk Region on February 20-21. In particular, the situation at the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill (BPPM) was discussed. The mill’s operations have been suspended since the beginning of October 2008 after the introduction of a closed water circulation system.
The President, during his visit to Irkutsk, proposed closing the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill (BPPM), which, in his opinion, should cease operations regardless of the type of water circulation system at the enterprise, and also placing other production facilities on the mill’s territory. This was announced at the meeting by First Deputy Prime Minister of the Pribaikalsky government, Sergei Sokol, who also noted that the regional authorities are asking to be transferred the 49% stake in the enterprise owned by the federal center.
"The President of the Russian Federation supported the position of the Governor of the Irkutsk Region, Igor Esipovsky: the option of resuming BPPM operations with a closed system or without one will most likely not be approved by the federal leadership," Sergei Sokol said. "The head of state has a deep understanding of the issue; he is aware of all the nuances. The type of pulp required by our industry can also be produced at other Russian mills; it does not have to be on the shores of Lake Baikal."
"The most important thing for us in this situation is the interests of the people working at the enterprise," Sergei Sokol noted. "Last week we effectively ensured that BPPM management could pay wages to the workers, but this cannot continue on a permanent basis. Therefore, negotiations will be held with the owner to change the situation - the President of the Russian Federation prompted this during his stay here."
Sergei Sokol reminded that the government is actively working to create alternative production options. Thus, the governor received the President’s support for the creation of a tourist and recreational zone on the territory.