Vladimir Putin: Russia will be developed and democratic country

Russia will be a developed country with a civil society and coherent democracy, said Russian President Vladimir Putin in his annual message to the Federal Assembly on May 16. He said that over the last three years 'we have solved a lot of problems, and reached positive results.' Now we need to take the next step, he added.

'Russia must be and will be a country with developed civil society and coherent democracy, which provides for human rights, freedom, a market economy where property rights are reliably protected, and people can work honestly and earn money without fear and limit,' said Putin. He also said that Russia will also be a strong country with good arms and army, capable of defending it. All of this must create worthy conditions for people's lives, and allow Russia to equally exist in the community of developed countries, said Putin. 'People won't just simply be proud of such a country, they will respect our great history. This is our mutual strategic goal,' he said.

Today's message was the 10th time a Russian president has addressed the Federal Assembly. The tradition began in February 1994. Deputies from both chambers of the Russian parliament, Chairman of the Accounts Chamber Sergey Stepashin, Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov and other leaders were present in the marble hall of the Kremlin during the president's address.