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Medvedev sees his aim in ensuring freedoms for every citizen

"Everyone needs freedom – this is an axiom", Medvedev stated

MOSCOW, April 24 (Itar-Tass) — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sees his aim in ensuring freedom for every citizen of the country. He stated this at a session of the State Council here on Tuesday, recalling that his presidential powers will expire in less than two weeks' time.

"I consider it my major task to develop civil freedoms," he pointed out. "More freedom for everyone: herein was and remains my aim," Medvedev said, specifying that "to draw up specific plans of the future government is the job of new government agencies".

Medvedev recalled that when entering upon his duties as Head of State he had stated his conviction that 'Freedom is better than unfreedom'. "Many regard those words as my political creed; I followed it to the best of my ability," he said.

The President categorically disagreed with "leisurely discussions as to whether our citizens need freedom". His opinion is that "it is unjust to regard Russia as a nation that is unworthy of freedom".

"Everyone needs freedom – this is an axiom. To contrast freedom with order, freedom with material wellbeing, and freedom with justice is utterly wrong," Medvedev stated.

In so doing the President pointed out that the development of freedom is promoted by worthy socio-economic living conditions of the citizens of the country. "Poverty, economic backwardness, corruption, and low life span are the main enemies of our freedom," he said.

In this connection Medvedev regards it as a big achievement that the State had been able to protect the citizens from the first wave of the downturn, averting a mass impoverishment of the population.