Russia Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Constitution: Kremlin Holds Special Ceremonial Reception!

Today, Russia is celebrating an important date.

Today, Russia is celebrating an important date. 25 years ago, on this very day, our citizens approved the draft of the new constitution in a referendum. The document, adopted in 1993, symbolized the end of a severe political crisis and allowed the country to develop freely. Right now, the Kremlin is holding a ceremonial reception.

Alexander Balitsky is with us live.

 

- Greetings, Alexander. Who's invited to the reception and what statements do we hear?

- The Kremlin is hosting a solemn reception devoted to the 25th anniversary of the Russian Constitution the main law of the country. that was indeed adopted by a people's referendum in December of 1993. 25 years have passed. Yes, a quarter of a century is not much on the historic scale but that's the time it took for this document to create the environment for Russia's stable development because it codifies the main basic values and the key principles of the rights and freedoms of the citizens. This document allows us to keep pace with the times. That fact was specifically stressed by Vladimir Putin. By the way, the Russian president is the guarantor of the constitution.

Vladimir Putin: "We are pursuing an independent foreign policy and looking for adequate solutions to current challenges based on its principles and values which, we realize, are of critical importance not only for us but for the entire world and its future as well. Dear friends, it is essential that all political forces, society, and every citizen of Russia experience and understand the letter and the spirit of the fundamental law, and respect them. We are well aware of our current problems and difficulties. We will work diligently, step by step, to overcome them. Together, we will certainly achieve our goals by fulfilling the will of our people and respecting and following the constitution which they adopted".

Putin reminded that the adoption of the constitution was a turning point in our contemporary history and the lives of our citizens. Back in 1993, the Russians took a firm and resolute decision and chose democracy. The document itself obliged the state to respect and protect basic values.

- Didn't the President also specifically note the role of the Constitutional Court, Alexander?

- Naturally, as it's both the peak of our legal system and its foundation. Such meetings are held every year on Constitution Day. Vladimir Putin held a separate meeting with Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Valery Zorkin. By the way, Zorkin was in charge of the Constitutional Court in 1993 as well. He has a full right to say that Russian federalism survived and became stronger in those tough years.

Vladimir Putin: "The Constitutional Court bears a special responsibility for ensuring compliance with this crucial legal instrument. I would like to express gratitude to you, to the other judges, and to the personnel of the Constitutional Court for doing their jobs".

Valery Zorkin, Constitutional Court Chairman: "Our far from simple task is to work together with the other authorities to keep our constitution alive to prevent it from gathering dust. I think that this has so far been possible because it is the silver anniversary of the Constitution which will be followed by the golden anniversary and so on".

As Vladimir Putin said today the Russian Constitution is a living document, a living organism, and must keep pace with the times. Amendments are possible, but the main principles remain unchanged: the protection of the citizens' rights and freedoms.

- Thank you, Alexander. My colleague Alexander Balitsky was with us live.