ICG calls on Kremlin to develop economy and fight corruption in Northern Caucasus

The measures to stabilize the situation in Northern Caucasus should include, among other things, open recruitment to state service; adoption of a law on remote mountainous areas; support for the secular state school education; and low-interest loans to small businesses. This is stated in the report released today by the International Crisis Group (ICG).

According to Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, the head of the Russian representative office of the ICG, the report is the final one in a series of reports prepared by the ICG on the factors affecting the dynamics of conflicts in the region and its integration into the all-Russian space.

"Despite the positive trend of recent years in social and economic indicators, the republics of Northern Caucasus are still among the laggards. The region has huge potentials, but a number of systemic and institutional problems prevent its successful development," Ekaterina said in her comments to the "Caucasian Knot".

As regards the socio-economic development of the republics of the North-Caucasian Federal District (NCFD), the ICG recommends local authorities to focus on the legalization of the shadow economy and strengthening professional training programmes; develop and implement security measures to safeguard businesses from extortions by militants; and carry out an efficient and fair privatization of state-owned land.

In order to fight corruption, the Russia government should take more active steps to hold investigations and make recruitment to the civil service open.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.