Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this evening with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his cabinet members on the occasion of Government Week. The Leader said that it is necessary for the administration to preserve its essential orientations such as commitment to values, administration of justice, simple lifestyle, avoidance of aristocracy, constant efforts and fighting the arrogant powers. He added that the administration should pay more attention to the 20-Year Strategic Plan and facilitate daily life of the people.
Speaking at the meeting, which was arranged to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Shahid Rajaee and Shahid Bahonar, Ayatollah Khamenei described Shahid Rajaee and Shahid Bahonar as the symbols of faithful efforts and strong commitment to the values and principles.
His Eminence touched on the pre-planned fitna of the year 1388 and added: "This fitna dealt a hard blow to our national progress and the course of events in the country, and it boosted the enemies' morale. But the nation and the administration continued their path through their faith, self-confidence and resistance. By Allah's grace, the administration made good achievements, and this is considered a manifestation of the commitment to the orientations of Shahid Rajaee and Shahid Bahonar."
Ayatollah Khamenei said the secret behind the administration's achievements is that it feels proud of being committed to the slogans of the Revolution. Addressing President Ahmadinejad and his cabinet members, he added: "You are popular among the people because of your slogans regarding justice and your commitment to religion and fighting the arrogant powers. And you should make serious and determined efforts to preserve these orientations."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that facilitating daily life of the people is one of the essential orientations of the administration and added: "This important issue should be the focus of attention so that different aspects of the people's life are filled with comfort, welfare and security."
His Eminence said that it is necessary for the administration to take the 20-Year Strategic Plan into consideration: "Twenty years of the country's path has been sketched in the Strategic Plan, which has been formulated on the basis of realities. And this plan should be taken into consideration in all conditions."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that five years have passed since the beginning of this plan and added: "We should seriously consider what we have done so far and act in a way that the goals specified in the Strategic Plan are achieved according to the requirements of different eras."
His Eminence reiterated: "If we do not pay attention to this important plan for ten years, naturally it will no longer be possible to realize the goals specified in the Strategic Plan in the remaining time. Therefore, the administration should assign certain people to carefully investigate whether or not enough progress has been made in the specified time frame."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that paying attention to the slogans of the fourth decade of the Islamic Revolution - namely, "The Decade of Progress and Justice" - is another necessary orientation of the administration and added: "During the two years that have passed since the beginning of the fourth decade, good efforts have been made in order to make progress. But it is necessary to specify clear standards in order to determine the degree to which the slogan of justice has been realized in different economic, social, educational and cultural areas."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the five-year plans as another important orientation of the country. He said that the fifth 5-year plan is being considered in the Majlis and expressed hope that these plans will be appropriately formulated and approved through genuine and flexible cooperation between the legislative and executive branches.
His Eminence said that it is necessary for the Majlis to avoid making essential changes to the five-year plan presented by the administration and to avoid adopting a narrow perspective on the plan. "Similarly, the administration should not think that the plans it has prepared cannot be criticized or altered."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the good points made by President Ahmadinejad in the meeting regarding the economic measures of the administration and advised the administration to pursue all parts of the economic overhaul plan and added: "In addition to the subsidy redistribution plan, other parts of the economic overhaul plan - which are related to the banking system of the country and other things - should be pursued and implemented in a determined way."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that it is important to pay attention to macro indicators in economic issues and stressed that more efforts should be made to realize the production growth specified in the Strategic Plan and to increase domestic and international investments in the country."
His Eminence demanded that the administration pay special and constant attention to the issue of employment and added that improving productivity is crucial to the economic progress of the country.
Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that it is necessary to carefully consider the measures taken to implement the policies mentioned in Article 44 of the Constitution.
He added: "The spirit of Article 44 of the Constitution is that the people and the private sector should make investments in the economic sector and share management responsibilities in the sector. The administration should pay complete attention to the philosophy behind the Article. And it should formulate the policies and exercise supervision over the process of implementing the policies mentioned in the article."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the inability of the private sector to make large-scale investments in certain sectors and stated: "The administration's policies and measures should be such that they enable the private sector to make major investments."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that implementing the policies of Article 44 of the Constitution properly is a medium and long-term task and added: "If this task is accomplished, it will be a major boost to the country's economy."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the important position of the cabinet in specifying the legal duties of the people and the officials and stated that all cabinet members play an influential role in the decisions made by the administration.
He further added that cabinet members should take part in the discussions in an active manner so that the legislations proposed by the administration are properly developed and amended.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the organizations of the country should help each other make progress. He further criticized the country's organizations for publicizing their disagreements and reiterated: "Such issues should be settled in cabinet meetings and the disagreements should be minimized."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the administration officials should avoid redundancy in different arenas, such as foreign policy, and stated that the ministers should be trusted within the framework of their duties.
His Eminence further advised the cabinet members to be more open to criticism.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the diplomatic activities of the administration are praiseworthy and added: "What is more important than diplomatic activities is the spirit, orientation, and content of our diplomacy."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Foreign Ministry is responsible for managing - in an organized and planned manner - all the issues related to the country's foreign policies and relations with other countries.
At the end of the meeting, the participants said their evening prayers led by the Leader and shared the Iftar meal together.