Ten Years of the Tatarstan Constitution Message of President M.S.Shaimiev

Dear people of Tatarstan!

Ten years have passed from the date of adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Tatarstan. These years have incorporated the whole epoch, which is extremely important for the multinational people of Tatarstan. We passed the years of ordeals with dignity, avoiding serious conflicts in society, and laid solid legal bases for well-being and prosperity of our republic in the future.

From historical point of view, these years may seem a small term, but they were extremely rich in creative work. For the short period we could define the republic’s status, develop key principles of social and economic policy, and lay bases for the development of multinational culture.

Frankly speaking, these years were hard, but our efforts were not lost. Due to the Constitution adopted on November 6, 1992, we managed to assign the basic share of the property of the former USSR to the republic and then carry out privatization in the interests of people. It has allowed to keep many Tatarstan enterprises and even the whole branches. We developed our own policy in industry and agriculture, which today yields visible results, developed and realized the program of targeted social protection. As a result, the republic reached leading positions in the Russian Federation with regard to economic development and living standards.

Due to legal powers stated in the Constitution, we solved the most urgent problems connected with the well-being of people. The gasification of the republic is basically completed, the program of liquidation of decrepit housing, road construction program is successfully carried out, etc. The bridge across the Kama commissioned this year became a symbol of the new opportunities of Tatarstan.

It is difficult to overestimate the value of the Constitution of the Republic of Tatarstan for revival of the Tatar language and culture. Only for ten years the basic changes in this sphere allowed to expand the sphere of functioning of the Tatar language, to revive the system of the Tatar education and mass media, to carry out all-Tatar public and cultural actions, of which we could not even dream before. Today it became usual and even ordinary, but we must not forget that these achievements are based on our rights provided by the republican Constitution.

Interethnic and interconfessional concord is the pride of our republic. It is a great blessing, the value of which cannot be underestimated. We need to value and constantly strengthen it. The whole world today is concerned about the tension between Muslims, Christians and Jews. On this background Tatarstan looks as a real model of mutual understanding of people of different cultures and confessions.

The tragic events in Moscow made us think again about the main principles of human relations. Terrorism, whatever it is based on, has no excuse. It is necessary to struggle with it using all possible methods and means, but first of all it is necessary to liquidate the cause of it. It is impossible to unite terrorism and Islam. Any religion proclaims the idea of God’s mercy and condemns violence. The way to paradise is the way of peace and mutual understanding, consent and negotiation. It is important to think of it on the eve of the Day of Concord and Reconciliation celebrated on November 7 throughout all the Russian Federation.

Today it is necessary to say about the contribution of Tatarstan in construction of federalism in Russia. The country’s way to democracy and federalism is rather contradictory. Russia needs more than one year to get rid of its unitarist heritage. Our Constitution contributed to the process of differentiation of powers between the federal center and subjects, filled the rights of the republic given by the Constitution of the Russian Federation with the real contents.

The new edition of the Constitution kept all positive aspects of Tatarstan Fundamental Law of 1992. Time made some correct amendments, and they are quite natural. The relations of the republic with the federal center were specified and reflected in the Treaty of 1994. All incidental moments were excluded from the text of the Constitution, and the questions connected with the status of the republic were kept. Time put everything in its places. We have passed with dignity a ten-years-long way of strengthening of the constitutional bases of the republic, creation of legal society and development of federalism. The authority of the republic and its people has grown, we have the things to be proud of, and we have clear future prospects.

Dear citizens of Tatarstan!

On behalf of the State Council, Government of the Republic of Tatarstan and on my own behalf I congratulate you on the holiday, I wish you health, well-being, happiness, optimism and good spirit!

President of the Republic of Tatarstan М.Shaimiev.