The message reads, in part:
“Local government in our country has long traditions dating back to the so-called Charter to the Towns signed by Empress Catherine the Great on April 21, 1785.
In modern Russia, local councils bear a large responsibility for the social and economic development of towns and communities, and for improving their infrastructure and territories. It is to local authorities elected by the people that local residents address their most urgent problems and concerns.
Our common task is to strengthen local government and expand its resource potential. Naturally, it is also important to provide support to significant public initiatives, and to involve the population in the implementation of municipal projects and programmes. Such participation promotes civil society and direct democracy institutions.”