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President Medvedev expressed his gratitude to the current President of the Republic of Tatarstan for his many years of leadership and his contribution to the development of confederate relations in Russia.

The President also said that he had signed an executive order awarding Mintimer Shaimiyev the Order for Services to the Fatherland, III degree.

The presidential powers of Mr Shaimiyev, who has led the republic since 1991 (for four terms), are due to expire on March 25, 2010. In January Mr Shaimiyev asked President Medvedev not to put forward his candidacy for another term, emphasising the need to give the younger generation a chance to prove themselves in the job.

On January 27, 2010 Dmitry Medvedev submitted to the State Council of Tatarstan the candidacy of Rustam Minnikhanov. On February 4 the State Council of Tatarstan unanimously vested him with the powers of president. The inauguration of the new President of Tatarstan will take place on March 25.