Tatarstan is confident in authorities

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Tatarstan is the only republic among the regions of the Russian Federation, which did not bring its Constitution in conformity with the Russian Constitution, said RT President Mintimer Shaimiev at the meeting with delegation of Missions of the EU member-countries held in the Kazan Kremlin on October, 26. Some articles of our Constitution do not correspond to the articles of the Russian Constitution. This is not surprising as the Tatarstan Constitution was adopted earlier. The conciliatory commission left some questions to be solved at the presidential level. Such a meeting was held two days ago. Decisions were found, the documents are being elaborated.

It's no secret, Mintimer Shaimiev said, that many people would like to come back to a unitary state. Tatarstan supports a democratic federal state, which is very difficult to build in Russia. The Tatarstan President reminded that he offered the State Council of Russia the concept of differentiation of powers between the federal center and regions. It was received with hostility by many people then, as it meant Russia had to make a choice. For the first time the Commission to the President of Russia was created to develop the concept. Now it comes to light that Russia has many imperfect laws, both federal and regional. Yes, the concept implies political compromise, but it is better, than confrontation. I think, M.Shaimiev said, we will find a solution.

It's already more than 10 years, since the USSR collapsed, and for this period the republic passed a rather difficult way. In the beginning of 90-s, Tatarstan was confronted with a very sharp situation and if we had been unable to answer the questions raised by people, Mintimer Shaimiev said, we might find ourselves in the situation similar to Chechen Republic. When Gorbachev declared full publicity, people rose and demanded full independence. The republic is national, located in the centre of Russia, integrity of which has to be preserved. The Treaty with the federal center took three years to be completed. Society calmed down, there was no division on the basis of nations and confessions. We pursued a strict centrist policy. I tried to keep from any steps when Tatars or Russians might tell that I take sides with any of the parties, Mintimer Shaimiev said. I am grateful to the Russian population, which was concerned but understood that it was necessary to deal with the problems of Tatars which for the Soviet period lost much with regard to language, culture, education. Fortunately, the confidence in authorities has been kept in the republic.

The European Union, the President of Tatarstan marked, is the most democratic form of organization as it was created as a result of integration based on interests. There is no compulsion, no pressure. Integration affects all spheres, including a uniform currency. Euro becomes stronger, it testifies to the growth of authority of the European Union, its reliable political and economic base.

Diplomats of the Missions of the European Union member-countries marked Tatarstan as interesting and promising region for cooperation.