Rustam Minnikhanov holds a traditional meeting with journalists to sum up the results of 2017

On December 22, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov held a regular meeting with regional and federal journalists.

Summing up the results of 2017, Minnikhanov noted that Tatarstan is working properly in economic terms, including the activities of enterprises, and the implementation of state programmes, and work on investment projects. "In general, the republic has good potential for further growth. Next year there will be 38 regional programmes. Large investments flow to the oil and gas chemical complex. After all, our well-being will depend on the economic component in many respects, including the development of the petrochemical sector, the activities of industrial sites,” Tatarstan President said.

Minnikhanov reminded that a few days ago he had a working meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to him, the meeting was held in a very positive atmosphere. "I reported on our socio-economic indicators, road construction, and provision of housing. In general, we have fulfilled all the forecast indicators,” he said.

Speaking about the teaching of the Tatar language in schools of the republic, Minnikhanov stressed that the Tatar language is the state language of the region, but everyone had its own view on this issue. "We also had to clearly present this programme, in particular, through the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. These uncoordinated actions led to the fact that we were among the entities that violate federal legislation. These norms are defined in the Constitution, but this issue is regulated by the federal standard as well. We thought that we were acting in accordance with regulatory legislation, but, unfortunately, we faced with this problem," he added.

"There is our fault as well in this entire situation. The language should be attractive. The system of teaching the Tatar language was very complicated and did not have an applied character. As a result, people were dissatisfied. Therefore, we need to work on methodology, to popularize the Tatar language. We will work in the area of ​​online learning, as well as create opportunities for using languages,” Minnikhanov said.

At the same time he noted that even the Tatars themselves often either do not know their native language well, or do not know it at all. "I believe that you need to know your mother's language," Tatarstan President said.

Then, Minnikhanov commented on the work carried out in the republic to combat corruption. He appreciated the work of the regional Department for Anti-Corruption Policy. "It has become much harder for the officials to work. The world has become very open, all transactions are open. Therefore, each illegal transaction will be disclosed,” Tatarstan President said.

This year alone, 66 criminal proceedings against various officials have been initiated. "We need to ensure the transparency of all our actions. Federal, regional, and municipal funds should be very tightly controlled. We will continue to work in this direction,” Minnikhanov said.

Minnikhanov also commented on the establishment of the Fund to assist defrauded housing equity holders in the republic. "There are two categories among defrauded housing equity holders. The first one includes people who gave their last savings, they borrowed money and hoped that they would be given housing. And the second category is those who invested their money and wanted to earn. I believe that, first and foremost, we need to help those people who have nowhere to live or who have debt obligations and who have ended up in difficult circumstances. The Fund will consider and solve these tasks,” Tatarstan President concluded.

The meeting also discussed issues of supporting small and medium-sized businesses, the development of municipal industrial sites, further plans for the improvement of public areas, as well as the upcoming World Cup 2018.