V.Putin: "We will move forward in unity and working together we will achieve success"

(Kazan City KZN.RU, 3 December). Vladimir Putin delivered the Annual Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly. The Address was traditionally delivered at the Kremlin’s St George Hall before an audience of more than 1,000 people.

Those present for the Address included members of the Federation Council, State Duma deputies, members of the Government, heads of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts, regional governors, heads of regional legislative assemblies, heads of Russia’s traditional religious faiths, public figures, including heads of regional public chambers, and the heads of Russia’s biggest media outlets. Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin was among the guests.

The program political and legal document sets out the situation in the country and main directions of domestic and foreign policy.

Vladimir Putin started this year Address thanking Russian servicemen who are fighting international terrorism. All those present observed a minute of silence in memory of Russian soldiers who died in Syria. The Head of State spoke about the need to unite the forces of all countries in the fight against international terrorism. “Every civilized country must contribute to the fight against terrorism, reaffirming their solidarity, not in word but in deed” – said Putin.

The Address touched questions of anti-corruption in the country, the decriminalization of some articles of the Penal Code, increasing the independence and impartiality of the trial.

Large block of the Address was devoted to the economic situation in the country. “The current situation is complicated but, as I have said before, not critical. In fact, we can already see some positive trends. Industrial production and the national currency are generally steady. There is a slight decline in inflation. We can see a significantly lower capital flight as compared to 2014”, - President of RF noted.

Vladimir Putin has outlined the key areas of economic development. The first is a change in the structure of the economy, shifting away from reliance on raw materials and mining sector, increasing the number of successful companies in the industry, agriculture, small and medium businesses. The second is the development of special programs of state support of a number of sectors of the economy, which today are at risk. The third is support for low-income people, the most vulnerable categories of citizens. The fourth is a balanced budget. The fifth is the strengthening of trust between government and business.

The President also talked about the financial support of projects of import substitution, which already Development Fund industry is carrying out. Leader of the State focused in details on the development and support for agriculture, the interest of wide business cooperation with foreign partners, the modernization of transport infrastructure.

Social issues have also been widely discussed in the Address. Thus, the demographic situation, contrary to the forecasts of experts-demographers, is far from a crisis. Three consecutive years there is a natural increase of the population in Russia. Moreover almost half of the newborns are the second and subsequent children. Vladimir Putin said that he believes, "it is necessary to extend the program of maternity capital for at least another two years". One of the most important measures of demographic policy is the development of pre-school education, the Head of State also said.

The main result of health policy is the increase in life expectancy. For a decade it has increased for more than five years and at the current year, according to preliminary estimates, will exceed 71, the President cited the data. Putin recalled the full transition of health insurance principles, the need to defend the rights of patients, the growth of high-tech care.

A section of the President's Address was also dedicated to the subject of education, including vocational education. "Russian schools, additional and professional education, and support for children’s creative work should be aligned with the country’s future, the requirements of people, young people in this case, and the demands of the economy in the context of its prospects", - Putin said.

Vladimir Putin concluded his speech, which lasted 58 minutes, with the words: "We will move forward in unity and working together we will achieve success".