Russia must be respected around the world

Taken from the speech delivered by the new Russian president, Vladimir Putin, at his inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin on Sunday

Dear Russian citizens, dear friends. I understand I have taken on a huge responsibility, and I know that in Russia the head of state has always borne, and will always bear, overall responsibility, responsibility for everything that happens in the country. The first president of Russia, when leaving the Kremlin, said - and he reiterated these words today in this hall - "Take care of Russia." And it is in this that I see my main presidential duty.

Dear Russian citizens, dear friends. I understand I have taken on a huge responsibility, and I know that in Russia the head of state has always borne, and will always bear, overall responsibility, responsibility for everything that happens in the country. The first president of Russia, when leaving the Kremlin, said - and he reiterated these words today in this hall - "Take care of Russia." And it is in this that I see my main presidential duty.

I will demand the same from my associates in work and in service. In this patriotic cause I also expect to rely on the help of my Russian compatriots, of all who hold dear the plight of our fatherland.

Today I want to thank my supporters, all of them who voted for me in the elections. You believed that together we could change our life for the better. I am deeply grateful to you for this.

Today is a historic day. I would like to emphasise this. It is, effectively, the first time in the history of the Russian state, in all of Russian history, that the supreme power is being transferred in a most democratic, most simple way: on the people's will, and in a legitimate and peaceful way.

A change of power is a test for the constitutional system. It is a test for its strength. But this test we have overcome with dignity. We have proved that Russia is becoming a really democratic modern state. A peaceful power succession is a most important element of the political stability of which we all have been dreaming, toward which we have been aspiring, which we have been pursuing.

The way to a free society was not simple and easy. We have had both tragic and happy pages in our history. The construction of a democratic state is far from complete, but a lot has been done. We are obliged to preserve and develop democracy, to ensure that the authority elected by the people serves the people's interests, and protects the Russian citizen everywhere - inside and outside the country. This is a stance of principle, and a tough one. I have defended it and intend to defend it in future.

We have assembled today in honour of this solemn event here in the Kremlin - a sacred place for our people. The Kremlin is a concentration of our national memory. Here, within the Kremlin walls, for centuries the history of the country has been made. And we have no right to be "Ivans without family roots", in the words of the Russian proverb.

We must not forget anything. We have to know our history, to know it the way it happened. We must learn its lessons, and remember those who created the Russian state, who defended its dignity, and worked for its greatness and power. We shall preserve this memory and we shall preserve this link between the times. All the best from our history we shall pass on to the descendants.

Dear citizens of Russia. We believe in our forces, in our ability really to transform the country. We have common goals. We want our Russia to be a free, prospering, affluent, strong country. A country whose citizens are proud of it and which is also respected around the world.

Over the last months, in Moscow and when meeting with people in the regions, I felt your understanding and your support.

And frequently from many people, ordinary people in streets and squares, I heard words that were very simple, but very important to me. They were saying to me: "We believe you, we pin our hopes on you. But please don't fail or deceive us." I can assure you that in my work I shall be guided exclusively by state interests.

We may be unable to avoid making some mistakes. But I can really promise that I shall be working in an open and honest way. I see it as my sacred duty to consolidate the Russian people, to unite the citizens around clear tasks and objectives. And every day and minute of my service to the Fatherland I promise to remember that we have one native land, one people, one common future. Thank you.