Vladimir Putin: "Mintimer Shaimiev does everything for Tatarstan and Russia to prosper and be strong"

On January 20 President of Russia Vladimir Putin awarded a 1st degree Order of "For Merits to the Fatherland" to President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev and gave best wishes on the occasion of Mr. Shaimiev’s 70th birthday.

The award had previously been presented to very few of the nation's outstanding political figures and was for the first time given to a head of a Russian territory.

While handing the award to Mintimer Shaimiev, Vladimir Putin said "without pretence" the State Council's presidium's session held in Kazan with participation of the country's top politicians had not been accidental.

President of Russia in his speech highlighted that Mintimer Shaimiev, during his time in office as President, had made Tatarstan one of the country's leading regions. Putin said Shaimiev's reputation, authority and political value were commonly recognized owing to his wisdom, ethic and thoroughness displayed both in words and deeds.

Shaimiev has personally greatly contributed to constructing a truly federative state, at all times defending the principles of national integrity, the Russian leader emphasized. In the early 90s, we were just forming a democratic state, coming across many earlier impossible or dramatic things. The politicians of the Tatarstan leader's stance had played a positive and constructive role in the Russia's transformation process, he said.

Tatarstan, he continued, has accomplished a high degree of interethnic and interfaith consent; the republic successfully develops, being one of the Russian economy's buttresses and examples of caring attitude to the people.

Vladimir Putin said that much was being done in Tatarstan to safeguard Russia's integrity, might and stability in general, which largely was owing to President Shaimiev's stance of being responsible, dedicated and strong-willed. "You never retreat into the shadow, I have always noted it. You never withhold your view but defend your conviction despite it at first glance being disputable. You are open and honest in doing so, that is why people understand you and eventually support. The result is as a rule positive," the Russian leader remarked.

"I sincerely thank you for the great work and great sense of duty before your people and the country as a whole. For that you do not just sense the rhythm and pace of time but do everything for your native Tatarstan and our huge Russia to prosper and be strong and self-sufficient," President of Russia enhanced.

In his reply, Mintimer Shaimiev cordially thanked the Russian leader for "the high assessment of our common work, the work done by all Tatarstan people that is aimed for our republic's and the whole of the Russian Federation's progress". He said the award was a sign of deep respect for Tatarstan and its people. President of Tatarstan pledged to remain being responsible for everything happening in the Russian state. Russia has recovered, established its place and is reinforcing it, which begins to worry some, he noted.

Our place is the place of a powerful state with vast territories and great wealth, Mintimer Shaimiev concluded.