MOSCOW, June 11 (RIA Novosti) – Crimea’s First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Temirgaliyev stepped down Wednesday, and announced he is transferring to a new position in the near future.
Lawmakers of the State Council, Crimea’s local parliament, accepted Temirgaliyev’s resignation at an extraordinary session on Wednesday. “I will remain an economic advisor for the Crimean government's head and my fate will be decided in the near future,” Temirgaliyev said, refusing to unveil further details of his possible promotion.
As an advisor, Temirgaliyev is to oversee the banking system, investment and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. Temirgaliyev mentioned the creation of an extensive branch banking network in Crimea as one of the most difficult tasks.
Temirgaliyev, 37, who took his post in September 2013, said his resignation was a “long-planned” decision. The move, which has been accepted by Acting Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov, comes after Temirgaliyev announced Tuesday that the first stage of the region’s integration into Russia has almost been completed, with the top-priority tasks already resolved.
According to Temirgaliyev, the most topical issues included electricity, water and supplies provision to the peninsula, as well as timely payment of salaries and retirement benefits to residents. “These problems have been resolved and after that I had the possibility to sign a resignation paper,” Temirgaliyev told journalists in Simferopol.
Aksyonov explained Temirgaliyev’s resignation was to pursue new career prospects. “He is not leaving the government and he will give consultations to our ministers as an advisor. We are relying on his help in this part,” he said.
Crimea, formerly Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula, refused to recognize the legitimacy of the government in Kiev that seized power as a result of a coup in February and rejoined Russia in March following a referendum.
Crimea has switched to using the ruble in all payments, including salaries, pensions, social benefits, as well as tax payment and utility payments. The transition period of Crimea’s integration into Russia should be complete by January 1, 2015.
