Ildar Khalikov congratulates Tatarstan citizens on the Defender of the Fatherland Day

On February 23, Tatarstan Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov congratulated Tatarstan citizens on the Defender of the Fatherland Day.

"Dear Tatarstan citizens! On behalf of Tatarstan Government and myself I cordially congratulate you on the Defender of the Fatherland Day. Throughout a centuries-long history of our country a warrior, defender has always enjoyed great respect, has been surrounded by care and attention of compatriots. Common roots and destinies, common concerns and interests have always been and remain the most reliable ties uniting the people and the army together.

February 23 is a holiday not only for military men of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, but also for everyone who is a patriot of his country, for whom the concepts of "Fatherland", "Motherland", "duty" are of particular importance.

This holiday is a tribute of deep respect to those who served for good of the Fatherland, is carrying out military duty or is about to join the Russian army, as well as all those who with peaceful work and military valour achieves prosperity and stability in our country, strengthens the glory and power of the great Russia, safeguards our peaceful life.

Today, I want to congratulate, first of all, veterans of World War II, who in hard war years fulfilled their patriotic and internationalist duty with honour.  Participants of local wars and conflicts continued their glorious heroic traditions and are worthy of the glory of their fathers and grandfathers.

Our republic is making a significant contribution to improving the country's defense capability. High potential of Tatarstan enterprises of the country’s military-industrial complex makes it possible to perform the most complicated defense contracts. We are proud of our young people who perform their military duty with dignity in units and departments of Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation.

I congratulate all the servicemen and their wives, fathers, mothers, children on the Defender of the Fatherland Day. I would like to wish you and your families a peaceful sky, good health, success, optimism and confidence in the future.”

 Tatarstan Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov