Official website of the President of Russia

Документ   /

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, friends,

The ceremony for presenting state decorations is always a special, solemn event. After all, here in the Kremlin, we are celebrating outstanding citizens of Russia, who bring glory to their native country through their work, talent, and courage.

Every generation needs people who are able to inspire, set examples, and perform heroic deeds. Today, they are here in this hall.

The highest level of training and the ability to effectively resolve the most complicated tasks traditionally distinguish our cosmonauts.

The title of Hero of the Russian Federation and the honourable title of Pilot-Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation is awarded to Alexei Ovchinin.

His colleagues, participants of orbital flights and the International Space Station work programme, are also among the decorated.

The outstanding scientist Yury Trutnev became a full chevalier of the order For Services to the Fatherland. His contribution to strengthening the country's defence capability, creating a reliable nuclear shield, and developing nuclear energy is, without exaggeration, exceptional. He has done a great deal to promote the development of scientific schools and the education of new generations of scientists and researchers.

In order to be able to successfully move forward in the sphere of science and all other spheres, it is necessary to implement all advanced techniques and practices, while maintaining continuity.

I would like to once again express my gratitude to the former leaders of Russian regions who are about to enter new fields. I am confident that your experience and professional qualities will be of valuable service for the benefit of our country.

Our common goal is to ensure sustainable socioeconomic development of all Russian regions. Real workers, people employed at manufacturing enterprises and the agro-industrial complex, play an enormous role in this. You go about your work conscientiously, honestly and creatively. Your example serves to enhance the prestige of blue-collar professions.

The harmonious development of society is inseparable from the overall level of education, science and culture, and mutual understanding and harmony among people.

Today, we have Russian cultural figures here with us, whose work promotes noble aesthetic and humanistic values. I am referring to our famous artists and musicians.

I also welcome scientists, doctors, heads of major medical centres, and workers of public healthcare services. We have here representatives of the rector and teaching professions, business community and sports.

All of you are doing a great job in your respective fields. You are never content with what you have achieved and keep setting new goals for yourselves.

Today is the birthday of one of the participants of today's ceremony – head coach of the Russian national fencing team Ilgar Mamedov. We extend our best wishes on this occasion.

Friends,

Your accomplishments and achievements are important not only for today. They work for the future and the successful achievement of the goals of our Fatherland.

Once again, I thank you for your honest, responsible, and passionate approach to what you do. I, of course, wish you new achievements and all the best.

Thank you.

<…>