All news

Russia to expand support to compatriots abroad - Lavrov

I am convinced that pooling our efforts is an important factor of Russia’s great future

ST, PETERSBURG, October 26 (Itar-Tass) — Russia intends to expand the support provided to the compatriots abroad, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the opening of the World Congress of Compatriots on Friday.

“I am convinced that pooling our efforts is an important factor of Russia’s great future, a future that would be consistent with its richest history and great contribution to world culture, would reflect its unique, stabilising, balancing role in international affairs,” the minister stressed.

“I am confident that success in achieving this goal will depend primarily on the ability to fulfil the major tasks of dynamic domestic development, the country’s economic growth,” Lavrov said. “The entire foreign policy of the Russian Federation is aimed at the creation of the most favourable external conditions for this. It is based on the philosophy of joint creative work.”

“We are ready to go a long way in the development of long-term cooperation with all those who display reciprocal readiness for this,” the Russian foreign minister stressed. “Russia will continue also in the future to promote a positive, unifying agenda in international relations aimed at strengthening joint efforts in the search for answers to common for all challenges of the globalisation era.”

“Our compatriots abroad, who are objectively interested in constructive and good relations of the country of their residence with Russia are to make their contribution to the achievement of this goal,” Lavrov noted.

According to him, the key issues on the agenda of the congress will be the strengthening of the identity of the Russian world, ensuring the unconditional respect for the legitimate rights and interests of the compatriots abroad, expanding the support provided to them and making it more effective.

According to the minister, “The common feeling of responsibility for the destinies of Russia will help us achieve the main thing – the fulfilment of the tremendous creative and constructive potential of the Russian world.”

For his part, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said in an interview with the Echo of Moscow radio station that “the total number of Russian communities abroad is about 30 million people.” “And if we take into account the roots, this number could reach 50 million,” he added, noting that Russians abroad “constantly feel the care of Russia.”