Official website of the President of Russia

News   /

The only line beyond which we will never cross is that of preserving the Russian Federation’s territorial integrity, President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference following a meeting with French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

The people of Chechnya and the republic’s authorities will receive assistance in organising free and democratic parliamentary elections, restoring the social sphere and economy and strengthening the republic’s law enforcement capability. They will receive increasing prerogatives, rights and possibilities.

Mr Putin noted that the elections in Chechnya were held in strict conformity with Russian and Chechen law and have once more confirmed the Chechen people’s conscious choice in favour of development as a part of the Russian Federation.