We are strong by what we do

The new draft treaty on Delimitation of Jurisdictional Subjects and Mutual Delegation of Powers between the Republic of Tatarstan and the Russian Federation is prepared, RT President Mintimer Shaimiev said at the meeting with the delegation of foreign journalists. The meeting took place in the Kazan Kremlin on February 27. The previous treaty is still valid, but it needs to be reconsidered due to contradiction with the Tatarstan Constitution. The Federal law has been changed, so should be the Treaty.

Kazan and Moscow should follow the terms of the treaty, despite that many regions refused to. According to the RF Constitution, the republics must have own sovereignty as states. Only in case Russia sticks to the democratic way of development, it will become a federation. But Russia cannot be a unitary democratic state. The process of building a federation is tough, but we have to pass it as peacefully as possible.

Through centuries Tatarstan had its own State system, and even when Russia was divided into principalities. Today, the capital of Tatarstan is about to celebrate its millenium. Mintimer Shaimiev is grateful to RF President Vladimir Putin that he agreed to be the chairman of the committee responsible for preparation and celebration of the holiday. That’s not a mere anniversary, but an event of a great importance for the whole federation. Specifically speaking, Tatarstan is the territory where two world religions, Islam and Christianity, are practiced.

Asked about teaching the history of religion at schools, Mintimer Shaimiev said that when they get the textbook from Moscow it would be thoroughly examined. If the religions are not truly described in it Tatarstan will not accept the book. The textbook should not harm. The religious leaders of Tatarstan mean for good either.

Speaking about problems in Tatarstan, the RT President mentioned that we have the same problems as Russia: increasing number of criminals, drug-addicts, and the demographic situation. There’s also no effective youth policy.

On top of that, foreign journalists paid attention to the press. Tatarstan is the first in Russia in number of editions published. “I wish that freedom of speech were in Russia just like in Tatarstan. The press should be free, and we must help it. The government is criticized but we are strong by what we do. If the authorities only speak and do nothing, then we will not escape the critics.

The head of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Timur Akulov, took part in the meeting.