The Russian government will work to ensure that the construction of facilities for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi does not harm the environment, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said.
During his annual TV and radio phone-in on Thursday, the premier said the government is working with environmental organizations to "do everything to ensure that state resources are used not only in a way that does not harm nature, but in a way that benefits the environment."
He said that the construction of waste treatment facilities in Sochi "is a step in this direction".
In October, the Natural Resources Ministry said it intends to support the work of independent environmentalists in overseeing the construction of Olympic facilities in Sochi.
In September, the government said more than 1 trillion rubles ($34.1 billion) would be spent from 2009 to 2012 on preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
MOSCOW, December 3 (RIA Novosti)
