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VLADIMIR PUTIN SAY 2001 WAS A SUCCESS STORY BOTH
DOMESTICALLY AND EXTERNALLY
MOSCOW, January 1. /RIA Novosti correspondent/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has described 2001 as a successful year both as regards domestic affairs and foreign policy. He said this in his New Year message to the people. Every day of the past year "was taking us away from the difficult times of economic and social upheavals". "We together did a lot to bring that about," Putin said. "We worked together to make our life more predictable. And we have reached visible if small results".
As the president noted, "the year 2001 differed markedly from the previous one. We managed not just to maintain the tendency towards economic growth but also - if slightly - improve the life of our people. We have shown that the fairly good results of the previous year were not accidental. That they are not an episode in our life".
"In the outgoing year an important backlog was laid down for the future," says the president's message. "We have created a legal framework for new and serious steps in economic and social policy. We have taken decisions that will influence the long-term business climate in the country for several years ahead".
Russia is now treated in the world with greater trust and respect, Putin emphasised. According to him, ""we are better understood at present". "It has proved obvious that the consistent struggle against terror has been dictated not only by our national interests, but also by its global danger. And to the latest challenge of terrorists the world community responded with an unprecedented intensification of international cooperation. The states have rallied together and - together with Russia - have come to the defence of peace, calm and life itself," Putin said.
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