Extracts from the Annual Address of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan to the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan

Unlocking the potential of international cooperation is becoming one of the significant factors of acceleration in the rates of social and economic development of our republic. Combination of interests of the East and the West remains the main principle of development of external relations of the republic, and not only in the economic sense, but also from the point of view of culture and the dialogue of religions.

Last year many efforts were taken for the development of our contacts with countries of the Asian-Pacific region, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the European Union, Islamic countries and Middle East.

I assume that the outcome of top level contacts was rather appreciable, as well as the results of big international events. Here we could mention the visit to Tatarstan by the President of the People's Republic of China, Hu Jintao, as part of his official visit to Russia, the President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus, visits of Tatarstan delegations to Singapore, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan.

With the support of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation our cooperation with the Organization of the Islamic Conference, as well as with the Group of the "Strategic Vision: "Russia - Islamic "World", entered a new stage of its development. We maintained a constructive interaction with the Islamic Development Bank, and that is very important.

We are continuing to cooperate with the Assembly of European Regions and Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

Another interesting direction for Tatarstan is work with countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, including that in the framework of the Eurasian economic community.

The Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development successfully conducted in Kazan became a landmark event that added fresh impetus to implementation of joint projects.

We conclude a lot of agreements with foreign partners, subjects of the Russian Federation. However at times we are not efficient enough from our side implementing them. I draw attention of the Government, the Department of Foreign Affairs to the fact that we need stricter control and consistency in this issue.

Last year, we worked on sorting the functions of representative offices of the republic. We have to keep doing that with due regard to the fact that they have to become real outposts representing Tatarstan's interests. In this regard, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan together with the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan should prepare corresponding proposals.
…
The 4th Congress of the World Congress of Tatars showed the aspiration of Tatars throughout the world towards consolidation and spiritual revival. The Executive Committee of the World Congress of Tatars built constructive relations with the federal and regional authorities, as well as with the countries where our compatriots live. At the same time, we should strengthen our work on proposing the World Congress of Tatars as a nongovernmental organization in the United Nations, UNESCO and the Council of Europe. We have such an opportunity and should tackle this issue at the highest level.
…
Changes in the world around us are gathering pace and it demands a constant, laborious work from all government departments, closer attention to the most essential problems of the citizens of the republic. If a citizen is confident in the future, he will trust authorities. Tatarstan has got an opportunity to become not only a leader, but also an example of effective work of the state with people in the name of well-being of every man.