Greeting of President M.Shaimiev on the occasion of the Day of the Constitution of the Republic of Tatarstan

Dear fellow citizens! I heartily congratulate you on the occasion of the Day of the Constitution of the Republic of Tatarstan. Twelve years ago, the Parliament of our republic, resting on the will of the people, which was reflected in the outcome of the referendum of 1992, accepted the Constitution of Tatarstan.

For all these years, the Constitution has been and remains the reliable guarantor of rights and freedoms of citizens, our state system within the Russian Federation, socio-political stability, harmonious and effective work of all parts of authority. And it is natural as the republican Constitution incorporated all the best that had been saved up in the international and domestic legislation, responds to the highest standards of democracy.

At the same time, features of the transition period should have an effect on the course of the constitutional reform. Life itself adjusts some of laws. With reference to the Constitution of our republic, these changes have touched upon the important provisions without changing the spirit and the deep content of the Fundamental Law.

Today, Russia stands on the threshold of a new stage of strengthening the state system. The Russian Parliament considers the amendments targeting the change of mechanisms of formation of federal legislative and regional executive power. The future of the system of local self-government, model of its interrelation with the government is again in the focus of discussions. President of Russia Vladimir Putin's proposals are welcomed and approved by many people. There are also opponents of the given variant of social development. The fact that there are disputes around the new political programme of the federal authority, is the best certificate showing that Russian democracy ripe enough, that the society studies a big lesson of political development...

Dear people of Tatarstan! With all the heart I wish you happiness and well-being, wisdom, strength in upholding your own interests, big success in work in the name of prosperity and development of our homeland republic.

November 6, 2004.