The President said, in particular, in his telegram:
“You belong to a particular brotherhood of people who know and value hard work, responsibility, dependability, and willingness to lend each other a helping hand. Miners have handed down these lofty moral principles and strong professional traditions from one generation to the next, earing society’s genuine respect. It is not by chance that this professional holiday is celebrated not only in the coal producing regions but throughout the whole of Russia.
Today, we can be confident in saying that Russia’s coal sector is growing, covers our domestic needs and is building up its presence in new international markets. I am sure that you will use your predecessors’ wealth of experience and expand the resource base and use of new technology to continue meeting our objectives successfully and producing impressive results in this important and vital sector.
I particularly stress that constant priority attention must go to miners’ safety and improving living standards for coal industry workers and veterans.”