In his opening remarks, Magomedsalam Magomedov said that a sense of civic unity and the mobilisation of Russia’s entire multi-ethnic population had special importance today.
According to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office, members of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations understand that it were the missteps and criminal actions committed by the Ukrainian authorities in their ethnic policy which split Ukraine apart. The aggressive policy by the country’s leadership to promote cultural and language discrimination, attempts to assimilate the Russian people by force and the refusal to designate them as an indigenous population, as well as ignoring and undoing the multi-ethnic community which has existed for centuries – all this resulted in disastrous consequences.
Mr Magomedov went on to say that Russia has chosen an entirely different policy on ethnic affairs for itself. In fact, we have constitutionalised that Russia is a historical multi-ethnic union of equal peoples. He emphasised lasting values, such as ethnocultural and language diversity, the equality of all ethnic groups, and guaranteeing human and citizen’s rights and freedoms regardless of race, ethnic background or language.
The meeting participants reviewed the issues pertaining to preparations for a joint meeting of the Council for Interethnic Relations and the Council for Culture and Art, which is scheduled to be chaired by the President. Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova and Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs Igor Barinov delivered reports on this subject.
In addition to this, the Presidium members exchanged views on holding events in 2022 to nominate candidates for the Presidential award for contributions to strengthening the unity of the Russian nation. This award is the highest recognition by the state and society of achievements in strengthening national civic awareness and spiritual unity, bringing harmony to interethnic relations, and promoting ethnocultural diversity among the peoples of Russia. It is awarded by the President of Russia at the proposal of the Council for Interethnic Relations.
Following the meeting, the participants adopted the corresponding resolutions on all issues.