MOSCOW, December 10./ITAR-TASS/. Russia will continue to take steps necessary to asserting the lawful rights and interests of Russian citizens abroad, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a welcome speech at the international conference devoted to the 20th anniversary of the Russian Constitution.
“Adoption of the country’s main law was an event of truly historical significance in Russia’s contemporary history. Having approved it through the free expression of will our citizens consciously chose democratic reforms, the rule of law, and a mixed economy,” Lavrov said. “Realization of fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution helped maintain the country’s sovereignty and unity, carry out wide-scale reforms in various spheres, ensure Russia’s lawful status of one of the major world centers of power and influence.”
Lavrov added that “a noticeable contribution to the country’s development and to increasing its weight in the international arena has been made by the Russian diaspora abroad”.
“It is difficult to overestimate your efforts to promote an impartial image of Russia, strengthen the position of the Russian language, maintain our rich cultural and historical heritage,” he said addressing Russians settled in other countries.
“We will take further necessary steps to assert the lawful rights and interests of our citizens, strengthen their ties with their historical homeland and foster partnership with the Russian World,” Lavrov said.