Rustam Minnikhanov delivers his annual address to the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan

On September 21, at the Saydashev State Big Concert Hall, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov delivered his annual address to the State Council of the Republic of Tatartsan during the 31th meeting of the regional State Council of the fifth convocation.

Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, Prime Minister of the republic Alexey Pesoshin, Chairman of the regional State Council Farid Mukhametshin, members of the Russian State Duma, permanent representatives of the Republic of Tatarstan abroad and in Russian regions, heads of regional ministries and agencies, heads of municipalities, industrial enterprises, banks, universities, representatives of creative intelligentsia, public organizations and others took part in the meeting.

Live TV and radio broadcast of the meeting was organized. Online broadcast was available for internet users on the official website of the regional State Council and on the portal of the Government of Tatarstan.

"Dear members of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan and guests!

Dear Tatarstan citizens!

Tatarstan continues its sustainable development, takes leading positions in the country in many socio-economic indicators, and provides comfortable conditions for life and business.

Over the past decades, we have built an effective market model of the economy, have ensured decent social standards and broad political freedoms, have created conditions for the promotion and implementation of people's initiatives.

At the same time, global challenges, rapid changes in technology and people's preferences lead to repartition of markets and transformation of social development.

We must be active participants in these changes, be proactive, use new trends in our activities for the benefit of the republic and improve the quality of life of our citizens.

The contradictory changes taking place around the globe and the growing risks dictate us the need in comprehensive strengthening of the Russian Federation being the common home for many peoples living in our country.

We are integrated into the Russian statehood through centuries of history, the spiritual union of the Tatars, Russians and other ethnicities. We clearly understand that only a strong Russia can be a guarantor of the successful development of our republic and all the Tatars, wherever they live.

Tatarstan is implementing ambitious investment, socio-economic and infrastructure projects. We host world championships and forums.

The achievements our republic has made cannot be imagined without the trust and considerable support of the federal centre, especially of our national leader Vladimir Putin.

Life itself constantly confirms that strong regions are making strong Russia.

In this regard, the upcoming election of the President of the Russian Federation demand most of our attention. There is every reason to believe that the election campaign will take place under harsh conditions of political, economic and information pressure on our country.

I am sure that these threats will be an additional impetus to the consolidation of citizens of Tatarstan and all the constructive forces of the society with a view to protecting Russia's civilizational choice, consistently promoting its interests, and supporting the presidential course aimed at strengthening the country's power.

For nearly a quarter of a century  our relations with the federal centre were stipulated in agreements on the delimitation of powers that played a major historical role, helped to strengthen statehood and improve the practice of the Russian federalism.

A lot of their provisions have been set in the Russian legislation and have become a natural state of relations with the regions.

Today Tatarstan, as one of the leading entities of the country, takes full advantage of the wide opportunities available in Russia, the democratic state based on the rule of law, in implementing initiatives and projects.

Moreover, not so much the form of relations between the republic and the federal centre itself but their content, the opportunity to find mutually acceptable solutions to emerging issues in the common interest is the leading factor under current conditions.

Dear people’s deputies!

The current level of social development is characterized by the growing influence of citizens and their associations on making and implementing decisions in the sphere of public administration.

The developed unified platform of electronic services should contribute to this process.

Greater use of modern feedback mechanisms and involvement of citizens, support of their initiatives is expected.

The formation of key goals and performance indicators of public authorities, as well as control over their implementation should become public.

It is important to strengthen the parliamentary ties with voters and public institutions, people’s deputies should be in the thick of action, particularly where there are problematic issues.

In working with the population, we must rely on the potential of municipal settlements, as well as territorial public self-government.

We should develop forms of citizens' participation in the creation of public spaces and the development of various activities at these sites.

The self-assessment for citizens on initiative projects, when the republic allocates four roubles for one ruble from the population, has positive effect.

The work on involving citizens in addressing issues of local importance through self-assessment is most actively organized in Arsk, Baltasy, Kukmor, and Muslyumovo regions.

In general, since launching the programme, the total amount of funding from the regional budget has exceeded two billion roubles.

New roads, bridges, children's, sports grounds and other facilities in demand by the population have been built using these funds.

We will continue this work.

The government of the republic and heads of municipalities should more widely transfer the performance of public services to non-profit organizations, support their desire to obtain the status of a performer of socially useful services, improve forms of their support, including the creation of non-profit resource centres.

These issues should be considered at the upcoming fourth regional forum of socially-oriented non-profit organizations.

The involvement of people in what the republic is working on should become a powerful factor of development. Mass media and Internet resources have an essential role to play in this process.

Technological progress changes the habits of people, the culture of communication. Mobile devices have become both the main source of consumption and dissemination of information, as well as an instrument of social activity.

The quality of content, ways and efficiency of its distribution among the target audience should be the main thing in the work of the media.

It is necessary to take into account the changing interests of people and the growing world trends.

The diversification and variety of information distribution channels dictate the need for the Tatmedia Regional Agency to reconsider its role in the formation of the information space, which should not only reflect the multifaceted and creative nature of our activities, but also be an effective tool for receiving feedback from the population.

Dear people’s deputies!

A high level of interethnic, inter-confessional relations and ethno-cultural development in the republic was demonstrated by the Third Congress of the Peoples of Tatarstan and the Sixth Congress of the World Congress of Tatars.

The authorities together with the Assembly of Peoples of Tatarstan and the World Congress of Tatars should thoroughly work out the whole range of measures proposed by these authoritative forums.

We should continue to improve the content of programmes for implementing state national policy and monitoring the ethno-confessional sphere.

The issues of language policy require special attention.

While preserving the priorities in the study of state and native languages, the Ministry of Education and Science of the republic should focus on ensuring a high level of knowledge the Russian language.

In particular, the work as part of the Year of Leo Tolstoy announced in the republic will contribute to this.

At the same time, it is necessary to improve the methodology of teaching the Tatar language as the state language of the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as the training and retraining of teachers, including on the basis of the re-created National Pedagogical Institute.

In general, when studying languages, it is necessary to develop communication skills first of all.

These tasks have repeatedly been put before the Ministry of Education. However, the effectiveness of the work carried out is still low and causes justified criticism of citizens.

Being the responsibility centre, the Ministry should draw appropriate conclusions and take measures required.

The reconstruction of the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which is the property of not only the republic, but the whole Russia, as well as the construction of the complex of buildings of the Bolgar Islamic Academy, have become a common goal, an act of public accord. 

We will continue to consistently support efforts of traditional confessions to counteract any forms of radicalism and intolerance, to increase their role in the spiritual and moral improvement of our society.

Constructive interaction and cooperation of representatives of various ethnicities and faiths, strengthening of interethnic and inter-confessional relations in the republic, support of compatriots living abroad is an ongoing task for all state and municipal authorities.

Traditionally, the priority is given to the preservation of the historical and cultural heritage in the republic. The law on intangible cultural heritage has been adopted.

The inclusion of the Dormition Cathedral and the monastery of the island-town of Sviyazhsk in the UNESCO WorlT Heritage List has become a huge success for our country.

This is the logical outcome of many years of great work of scientists, archaeologists, restorers, builders, labor collectives and, of course, the Revival Foundation, headed by Mintimer Shaimiev.

Three of twenty-nine Russian World Heritage sites are located in our republic.

Taking into account the increased requirements of UNESCO, the State Council of the Republic needs to consider legislative measures to ensure the preservation, integrity and authenticity of these facilities.

Taking into account the experience gained, it is necessary to continue archeological research and restoration work at historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as participation in various international projects.

Undoubtedly, events timed to the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Tatar Soviet Socialist Republic will help to unite citizens of Tatarstan and the peoples of the Russian Federation.

The opening of new social and cultural facilities in regions of the republic, the creation of public spaces are among them.

The government should speed up the implementation of projects for the construction of landmark jubilee facilities in our capital, including the National Library and a large universal concert hall.

On the eve of the significant date, much work is to be done by the State Committee on Archival Affairs, especially since the centennial of the agency coincides with this anniversary.

It is important to make the archival sphere highly technological and accessible to citizens.

The rich heritage, rich business, cultural and sporting life of the republic contribute to the greater recognition of Tatarstan.

Every year we host more than 30 major international events and forums.

Kazan will host the FIFA World Cup matches next year, the WorldSkills World Championship in 2019, the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in 2022. Our task is to hold them at the highest level.

Solving the important tasks of popularizing our achievements, tourism is becoming an increasingly prominent factor in the development of the economy.

Over the past year about three million people have visited the republic. We need to further improve the infrastructure of hospitality, develop new types of tourism.

Mentality of our multinational people, their spirituality, special traditions are reflected in the culture that should be seen in its broadest sense.

Culture is not only the preservation of material and spiritual heritage, but also the formation of values ​​that unite people, the creation of new cultural products.

The current level of development of culture should be integrated with the education system, the sphere of tourism, sports, archival affairs and librarianship.

Culture should be addressed not only in the past, but also in the future, meet modern demands.

Especially it concerns young people who do not accept comparison with the past and are particularly vulnerable to new influences, are sensitive in terms of trust and social justice, appreciate the opportunity for self-realization and focus on the best world practices.

While fostering citizenship, patriotism and following traditional values are important, building an effective model of early involvement of young people in professional and project activities, training in promising competencies are the priority tasks of the authorities.

The environment itself should form value orientations and fashion for success, initiative, possession of unique knowledge and skills, aspiration for development.

Particular attention should be paid to the work with talented, creative youth and its unions. It is important to develop centres of creative industries, resource centers.

As a rule, people who generate interesting, unique solutions aimed at improving the quality of life visit them.

The experience we have gained in creating sites in major cities of the republic should be extended to our municipalities. Our universities and other educational institutions should by the key link in this work.

I would like to note that young people should see their future in the republic from school, feel our interest in their development and creating worthy conditions for life and work.