President of Tatarstan congratulates veterans and military men on Defender of the Fatherland Day

A solemn event dated to Defender of the Fatherland Day has been held today in Kazan. President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, RT State Counselor Mintimer Shaimiev, RT Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov, Chairman of RT State Council Farid Mukhamethsin attended the festive event which took place in M.Jalil Opera and Ballet Theatre.

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov addressed the audience with greetings:

“I sincerely congratulate you on Defender of the Fatherland Day! This holiday has firmly gone down in history of our people as well as other national holidays. Today we honor those who protect our multiethnic Motherland from external and internal threats, remember heroes, honor the memory of our fathers and grandfathers, address representatives of young generation with words of encouragement for the good of our Motherland.

Defender of the Fatherland Day is a holiday which unites representatives of different age, nationalities and religions. Our history has faced a lot of examples of the devoted service to the Motherland. The most striking and heroic examples were witnessed during Great Patriotic War. We paid a high price for the victory. More than 700 thousand Tatarstaners went to the front, and almost half of them fell down on the battle fields. I would like to express special gratitude to all veterans presenting here. Thank you, dear veterans, for all you did for your people, our country and native Tatarstan.

2012 was announced the year of historical and cultural heritage. I am sure that realization of certain measures will favor preservation and development of historical and religious traditions, cultures and languages of peoples living in the republic.

It is so symbolic that within the year of Russian history we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of another glorious event of the past – Patriotic war 1812 which united whole Russian society. Soldiers and officers of modern Russian army carry on traditions of our ancestors. We sincerely believe that thanks to them our country will be living peacefully and developing. Armed forces have always been a reliable protection for power and stability of the Russian state. We are proud of heroic deeds of Great Patriotic War, courage of the Afghan warriors, firmness of soldiers and officers taking part in anti-terrorist and peace-making operations.

Our country is consolidating its positions as a powerful state in economic and military spheres. In Tatarstan we managed to maintain enterprises which help ensuring national security of the country. Due to systemic approach we managed to increase production output at the enterprises of defence industry complex.

We are now reviving best military and labor traditions in Tatarstan. We have always supported military higher educational institutions located in republic and we can proudly say that Tatarstan soldiers have always fulfilled all set tasks with honor. Let me thank all parents of our draftees for proper upbringing of their sons who show good example for other military servicemen.

Dear soldiers of the army and fleet, dear veterans! On behalf of RT State Council, RT Government I congratulate you and your relatives on this holiday. I wish you strong health, optimism, family wellbeing and all the best!”

Head of Tatarstan granted several state and departmental awards to military servicemen, employees of the interior agencies, and Ministry of emergency situations. A festive concert was held after the official part of the event.