New Year’s address of Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov

Dear citizens of Tatarstan!

New Year is a special holiday. It is the time of high hopes and good mood, the time of summarizing results and making plans for the future. I hope that next year will bring joy and happy moments. 

We hosted XXVII Universiade in 2013. It was the real holiday of youth and sport, friendship and mutual understanding. I would like to express gratitude to all Tatarstan citizens for help and support during preparation for the Games. 

We did a great job. Universiade has changed our capital and us. We learnt a lot of new things, became more successful and open, found new friends from all around the world. 

The stable economic and social situation enables our citizens to look to the future positively. We see positive changes in demographic, labour, scientific, and cultural spheres. 

Today a new development stage begins in Tatarstan. The republic faces new ambitious tasks, among which is implementation of unique petrochemical projects, construction of cities of the future – Innopolis and SMART City, launching of new enterprises, development of logistics infrastructure, support of small and medium-size business. I am sure we will be able to realize most ambitious tasks. 

Unfortunately, we had losses, too. Attempts to destroy peace in our common house united us. Most Tatarstan citizens are against radical movements and help to strengthen interethnic peace and harmony. The coming year was announced the year of culture, and its ideals teach us to be kind and understand each other, be patriotic and respect our history and traditions. I am glad that this year Kazan will be the cultural capital of Turkic world. 

Dear friends! I wish you strong health, happiness and wellbeing. Let is fill your life with happy events and achievements! 

Happy 2014 year! 

President of the Republic and Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov.