MOSCOW, November 4. /TASS/. The Russian people need to stand united to ensure the country’s development, President Vladimir Putin said at a state award ceremony on Monday.

"Our people’s unity is the most solid foundation for Russia’s successful development, as well as their loyalty to the values of peace, mutual trust and respect for all ethnic groups," the head of state pointed out, adding that "our historic responsibility is to preserve these traditions."

"We firmly believe that only together we will be able to achieve the highest goals, accomplish the most difficult tasks and give appropriate response to any challenge," Putin emphasized.

On National Unity Day, Putin presented Russia’s state award for contribution to enhancing the nation’s unity, and awarded Orders of Friendship to foreign nationals playing a special role in boosting friendship and cooperation between nations.

Cooperation with other countries

Russian President also said, that the Russian world and culture are always open to cooperation and collaboration.

"The Russian world and Russian culture are always open to cooperation, collaboration and universal prosperity," the president said thanking "all the foreign friends for making an enormous contribution to forging ties between Russia and foreign partners."

Putin pointed out that "most, practically all, speakers were talking about the Russian language, Russian culture and Russian world."

"I would like to say that all the components of the Russian world are always turned inwards and are always multifaceted. Initially, the Russian culture and the Russian state were getting on feet as multinational and multi-confessional. That is how the Russian world looks from inside and that is how it manifests itself," Putin said.