Website of the President of Russia: Commissions and Councils

Magomedsalam Magomedov and Sergei Naryshkin announced launch of 19th My Country – My Russia youth project competition

2022-02-11T13:52:16+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office, Chair of the Presidium of the Council for Interethnic Relations Magomedsalam Magomedov and Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Chair of the Russian Historical Society Sergei Naryshkin launched the 19^thMy Country – My Russia nationwide competition of youth projects.

Magomedsalam Magomedov and Sergei Naryshkin announced the launch of the contest during a roundtable discussion devoted to the Year of Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of Russia.

In his speech, Mr Magomedov noted that it is necessary not only to remember but also to remind people that the Russian State was created as a union of peoples, with the Russian people being the backbone of the union. Due to the Russian people’s unifying role, the Russian language and centuries-long intercultural and interethnic interaction on the historical territory of the Russian State, a unique ethno-cultural and language diversity was formed, as well as a spiritual unity between various peoples who are committed to common principles and values.

The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office also emphasised that the preservation of a “cultural code” of Russia is necessary for the preservation of the basic elements of the Russian nation, based on the brotherly trust that has been formed over centuries between the peoples of the Russian Federation. The preservation of and support for the ethnic and cultural diversity of the country is one of the strategic goals of the current state national policy.

Magomedsalam Magomedov and Sergei Naryshkin supported the idea of making the cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia the main theme of the contest.

The contest My Country – My Russia is held as part of the Social Lifts for Everyone federal project, within the Education national project, and the Russia – Land of Opportunity platform.

The event was attended by members of the Russian Historical Society, representatives of government agencies, research and education organisations and partners of the contest, who shared their plans to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia.

Meeting of Council for Interethnic Relations Presidium

2021-12-22T20:12:46+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov chaired a meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations Presidium.

Opening the meeting, Magomedsalam Magomedov spoke about the current status of interethnic relations in the country. He noted that there is a high share of citizens who speak positively about them. Almost 80 percent of Russia’s citizens have no negative feelings towards other ethnicities.

At the same time, polls show that one in every five respondents thinks that a conflict on ethnic grounds is possible. The negative attitudes are largely due to the immigrant factor, as there have been many events involving foreign nationals that drew a strong public response and the topic is a widely discussed one.

Magomedsalam Magomedov encouraged all specialists, experts and public leaders to stay alert, be vigilant and to respond to incidents of this nature accordingly. “Qualifications and professional competence are of key importance. It is one of the essential goals under the State Ethnic Policy Strategy,” the Deputy Chief of Staff said. “It is important that we intensify efforts and increase the efficiency of measures at all levels. The ethnic policy is primarily implemented locally,” he added.

The council presidium discussed improving the professional training of ethnic policy specialists, progress in implementing the President’s instructions concerning the registration and education of foreign national minors at Russian educational organisations, as well as preparations for a regular meeting of the Council for Interethnic Relations chaired by the President.

Taking part in the discussion were Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs Igor Barinov, Russian Minister of Labour and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov, President of the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration Vladimir Mau, Head of the Public Administration Department at Lomonosov Moscow State University and State Duma deputy Vyacheslav Nikonov, representatives of competent ministries and members of the presidium.

The participants emphasised the importance of systematic and coordinated training and professional development of ethnic policy specialists, as well as the expeditious fulfilment of the President’s instructions concerning foreign national minors.

Corresponding decisions were made following the discussion.

Executive Order on awarding 2021 prize for contribution to strengthening the Russian nation’s unity

2021-11-03T20:17:10+04:00

Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order On Awarding the 2021 Prize of the President of the Russian Federation for Contribution to Strengthening the Unity of the Russian Nation.

After examining the proposal of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations, the President resolved to award the 2021 Presidential Prize for contribution to strengthening the unity of the Russian nation and the honorary title of the Presidential prize winner to Vladimir Zorin, chairman of the Commission of the Russian Federation Civic Chamber on Harmonisation of Interethnic and Interreligious Relations.

Meeting of Council for Interethnic Relations Presidium

2021-10-01T18:59:51+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov chaired a meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations Presidium.

Opening the meeting, Magomedsalam Magomedov summed up results of the state ethnic policy activities in 2021, noting the particular importance of the seminars held in each federal district involving officials from the top regional and municipal executive bodies as well as experts from the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations.

Head of the Federal Service for State Statistics (Rosstat) Pavel Malkov delivered a report at the presidium meeting on the planned nationwide population census.

Magomedsalam Magomedov noted the importance of the most complete coverage of the Russian population, because the census results will underlie long-term strategic and political decisions, including those concerning the state ethnic policy. He also reiterated the President's order to Rosstat and the General Prosecutor's Office to ensure the observance of people’s constitutional rights to determine their ethnic and linguistic affiliation without any pressure during the census. Members of the Council for Interethnic Relations will assist Rosstat in conducting the census and in processing its results.

Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs Igor Barinov informed the Presidium of the progress on the action plan for the implementation of the State Ethnic Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation in 2022–2025. An intensive discussion followed. The Government is to approve the plan by the end of 2021.

At the end of the meeting, the experts reviewed the candidates for the annual Presidential Prize for contributions to strengthening the Russian nation’s unity.

Following the discussion, corresponding decisions were adopted.

Workshop meeting on implementing State National Policy Strategy to 2025

2021-06-22T08:59:16+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov and Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy to the Central Federal District Igor Shchegolev held a workshop meeting in Voronezh dedicated to the implementation of the State National Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation to 2025.

The event was attended by Governor of Voronezh Region Alexander Gusev, officials from the Presidential Executive Office, members of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations, officials from federal bodies of authority and government bodies of the constituent entities and municipalities of the Central Federal District, as well as representatives of educational institutions and the research and expert community.

In his remarks, Magomedsalam Magomedov outlined the main areas for implementing the state national policy strategy in the Central Federal District, the most important of which is the strengthening of Russia’s civic identity. He noted positive dynamics in citizens’ assessment of interethnic relations in the federal district. The most recently held polls show that over 80 percent of the population assesses them positively.

In addition, the workshop meeting participants discussed the situation in the sphere of migration, the prevention of interethnic conflicts, the implementation of sociocultural adaptation measures and social integration of migrants and their children. Corresponding decisions were made following the discussion.

Magomedsalam Magomedov and Igor Shchegolev also held a working meeting with Voronezh Region Governor Alexander Gusev to discuss interethnic relations and socioeconomic development of the region.

Seminar meeting on implementing the State National Policy Strategy Through 2025

2021-06-12T10:37:31+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Urals Federal District Vladimir Yakushev held a seminar meeting in Yekaterinburg on implementing the State National Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation Through 2025.

The meeting was attended by Chair of the State Duma Committee on Ethnic Affairs Valery Gazzayev, Deputy Chair of the Presidium of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations Valery Tishkov, officials from the Russian Presidential Executive Office and the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs and representatives of executive and legislative authorities from regions and municipal districts in the Urals Federal District, as well members of the academic and expert communities.

During his working visit Magomedsalam Magomedov also met with Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Urals Federal District Vladimir Yakushev. The two officials discussed important aspects of interethnic relations and the socioeconomic development of the regions in the federal district.

Seminar-conference on State Ethnic Policy Strategy until 2025

2021-05-26T19:49:48+04:00

A seminar-conference on implementing the State Ethnic Policy Strategy until 2025 took place in Svetlogorsk under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy in the Northwestern Federal District Alexander Gutsan.

The meeting was attended by Kaliningrad Region Governor Anton Alikhanov, Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs Igor Barinov, Member of the Presidium of the Presidential Council for Ethnic Affairs Vladimir Zorin, representatives of regional and municipal executive and legislative government bodies in the Northwestern Federal District, as well as scientists and experts.

Mr Magomedov noted in his speech that in the past few years the government’s activities have become much more effective and coordinated at all levels of authority. He noted positive dynamics in the perception of ethnic relations: over 81 percent of the population asses them as positive compared to about 50 percent just a few years ago. Mr Magomedov explained the change was brought about by consistent efforts in this area. Thus, following its meetings alone, the Council for Ethnic Relations has issued over a hundred instructions aimed at strengthening the unity of the Russian nation.

Regarding the Northwestern Federal District in particular, Mr Magomedov said the people are highly satisfied with the state of ethnic relations. He pointed to the importance of measures to enhance a common Russian civic identity and the unity of multi-ethnic Russia, and continuing systematic efforts on the adaptation and integration of migrants.

Participants in the meeting also discussed the de-politisation of the discussion of ethnic issues during election campaigns and the National Census, support for the state Russian language and all native languages in the federation, and the need to monitor conflicts and regional experience on preventing ethnic tension. They adopted relevant resolutions following the discussion of these issues.

In addition, Mr Magomedov met with Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy in the Northwestern Federal District Alexander Gutsan, Kaliningrad Region Governor Anton Alikhanov, and Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs Igor Barinov. They discussed urgent issues of ethnic relations and the region’s socio-economic development.

Magomedsalam Magomedov took part in a seminar-conference on state ethnic policy

2021-04-10T10:18:48+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Siberian Federal District Sergei Menyailo chaired this year’s first seminar-conference on the implementation of the State Ethnic Policy Strategy for the period until 2025, held in Novosibirsk.

Taking part in the meeting were Novosibirsk Region Governor Andrei Travnikov, deputy governors and heads of the Russian regions in the Siberian Federal District, Chair of the State Duma Committee on Ethnic Affairs Valery Gazzayev, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs Stanislav Bedkin, member of the Presidential Council Presidium for Interethnic Relations Vladimir Zorin, and representatives of the academic and expert community.

In his remarks, Magomedsalam Magomedov noted that over the past year, a qualitative increase in the efficiency of management and coordination of government body activities has been achieved at all levels, common approaches to the implementation of the state ethnic policy have been ensured, and there has been a positive dynamic in the people’s assessment of interethnic relations.

Noting the specifics of the Siberian Federal District, Mr Magomedov also singled out the high indicators of the population’s satisfaction with the current state of interethnic relations in the district’s regions and stressed that it was necessary to update regional documents in a timely manner, in particular to approve the state ethnic policy for the period of 2022–2025. The main focus must be on measures to strengthen Russia’s civil identity and the unity of Russia as a multiethnic nation.

Moreover, he noted the importance of further systematic work to adapt and integrate immigrants, paying special attention to the education of their children and the prevention of a segregated existence.

During the meeting, the Siberian regions’ great potential for ethnic tourism was also noted. Issues related to de-politicisation of the ethnic issue during election campaigns and the national census were discussed, as well as support for Russian as the state language and of the mother tongues of the Russian peoples, the monitoring of conflict situations, interaction with civil society institutions and information work. The region’s experience was presented in the abovementioned areas. Following the meeting, recommendations were adopted.

During his trip, Magomedsalam Magomedov met with Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Siberian Federal District Sergei Menyailo and Novosibirsk Region Governor Andrei Travnikov to discuss topical issues of interethnic relations and socioeconomic development in the region.

Magomedsalam Magomedov took part in 2nd Forum of Indigenous Peoples of North, Siberia and Russian Far East

2021-04-09T13:01:42+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office and Chairman of the Presidium of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations Magomedsalam Magomedov attended the 2nd Forum of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Russian Far East held in Salekhard, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, where he read out Vladimir Putin’s message of greetings.

In his speech, Magomedsalam Magomedov noted that the President always keeps problems of indigenous peoples under close review; this is an important part of the state ethnic policy aimed at preserving each ethnic group living on Russia’s vast territory.

He added that Russia has adopted more than a thousand legal acts at the federal and regional levels aimed at upholding the rights of indigenous peoples. Governments at all levels provide financial support to them on a continuous basis. The education system, adapted to their traditional way of life, is being improved within the modern context. Indigenous peoples receive support for their economic activities, and better access to healthcare.

Magomedsalam Magomedov noted that a wide range of important initiatives in this respect have come from the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East.

The forum brought together more than 300 participants who represent federal and regional authorities, public organisations, academia and the expert community.

As part of his trip, Magomedsalam Magomedov had working meetings with Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Urals Federal District Vladimir Yakushev and Governor of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area Dmitry Artyukhov. The discussion focused on current aspects of interethnic relations and socioeconomic development of the regions.

Meeting of the Council for Interethnic Relations

2021-03-30T22:00:03+04:00

Vladimir Putin chaired the tenth meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations via videoconference.

The meeting discussed the strengthening of Russian civic identity, the creation and promotion of ethnocultural tourism, the role of education in harmonising interethnic relations, and progress in implementing the State National Policy Strategy until 2025.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues,

We have not seen each other for a long time; we have not met for a while because of the events we all know about, the epidemic, but I hope we will be productive today.

I would like to start with a major topic, and it is about strengthening the nation’s civic identity. There is nothing more important for Russia, or for any other country, and we know what problems many countries are facing today in this key area – on the American continent as well as on the European one.

We will also hear reports on the role of education in harmonising interethnic relations, including with regard to the social adaptation of migrant children and on creating and promoting ethnocultural tourism projects in the Russian regions. It seems that these are separate topics, but at the same time they are strongly interrelated.

But first I would like to congratulate our colleagues, Maxim Amelin, Vladimir Grigoryev and Dmitry Itskovich. They have created a unique and innovative publishing project – a multilingual anthology of contemporary literature of the peoples of Russia – and have become prize winners for their contribution to strengthening the unity of the Russian nation.

Let me add that a new stage of the competition for this prize started on March 1. Taking into account its importance, I decided to increase the prize amount to 5 million rubles.

I would also like to thank all members of our Council for being active in the drafting and subsequent adoption of amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The changes, approved by an absolute majority of citizens, have enshrined the basic principles of the state national policy; the Constitution now says a lot about it. This includes strengthening the unity of the people of Russia, ensuring interethnic accord, preserving the country's ethnocultural and linguistic diversity.

All the clauses of the updated Constitution will be followed up in federal laws. This work is already underway, as you know well. In particular, the Government, in collaboration with a wide range of experts, is working on a concept for the state language policy.

The Russian language receives special attention in the draft. You know how great its significance is for all citizens of Russia – for the socioeconomic, spiritual and cultural consolidation of society.

By the end of this year, the State Duma will adopt in the third reading amendments to the Law On the Languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation. It will reflect the state’s responsibility for preserving the native languages of the peoples living in Russia, and for creating the right conditions for their study and development.

I would like to ask the members of the Council to become more actively involved in law-making, and to provide expert support for the deputies’ work in relevant areas.

Colleagues,

To successfully tackle the tasks facing the country we need not only an effective economy and competent management. For a huge multinational state such as Russia it is fundamentally, and even crucially important, to ensure public solidarity and a feeling of involvement in the life of the Fatherland and responsibility for its present and future, which is commonly referred to as Russian identity and civic consciousness.

In some countries, civic identity and ethnic identity are seen as rival notions. I believe that this approach is absolutely incorrect, to put it mildly, and absolutely unacceptable in our country. Our people come from different ethnic groups, but they have a common country, Russia.

This is also true for our national languages and customs. Our common state language and our common cultural and spiritual values and traditions, which developed over centuries, are strengthening Russia’s unity and might, and are ensuring our sovereignty and independence.

I would like to emphasise that economic and political problems are the root causes of the majority of hot spots around the world. Yes, this is so. But it is interethnic and religious intolerance that are usually incited to provoke conflicts.

We must prevent, and we will prevent any aggressive demonstration of one’s ethnic origin or disrespect for other ethnic groups in Russia, and we will not allow foreign conflicts of this kind to be brought to our country.

At this moment, over 80 percent of Russian citizens have a positive view on interethnic relations in the country. However, this matter calls for constant, I would even say daily work. In addition, we understand that this issue has always been and still remains a deeply personal and an extremely sensitive sphere. This is why I would like to say once again: we must pay close and constant attention to the implementation of the national policy, especially in the regions, and our actions must be as delicate, tactful and accurate as possible.

This is also important in connection with the upcoming nationwide Population Census, and I would like to give this a special mention. As a rule, the census takes place every ten years and it provides the most complete picture of the number and size of large and small ethnic groups, and this picture has to be absolutely objective. I am asking the Federal State Statistics Service as well as the Prosecutor General's Office to ensure people's constitutional right to freely express their will in defining their ethnicity during the census, and to strictly suppress any attempts at pressure and especially discrimination on ethnic grounds.

Dividing citizens into friends and foes is not the best example to show the younger generations. One’s civic identity, like patriotism, is not given at birth, rather these are formed later in life. They are fostered by the actions of adults, by models of their behaviour and images proliferated by the media, by our entire social environment: culture, science, and education. All this, along with the traditions in the family, contributes to the education of young people.

I cannot help but mention the recent period of the coronavirus restrictions in this connection. I started with it, and now I would like to say this again. Remarkable examples of mutual assistance, disinterested help, and solidarity regardless of one’s age, social status, ethnicity or religion – we have seen all these examples quite recently. And it is important that these examples become a moral guideline for young people, for our children.

And of course, in order to realise that they are part of a huge and beautiful country, and to love our Motherland, young generations must get to know the country, in all the diversity of its nature and geography, history, and the various cultures and traditions of our peoples.

I hope that the Tourism and the Hospitality Industry national project will contribute to achieving that; we will also talk about this today. The proposal to develop that project was supported last November, as you know. I also support your proposal, colleagues, to include measures for the development of ethnocultural tourism in that national project. We will certainly discuss this today as well.

Russia has a unique and original heritage of its peoples. It is part of our common wealth, and it should be accessible to every resident of our country, every citizen, everyone who lives on this land, and again, this primarily concerns the younger generations.

Let's move on to our agenda.

<…>

Vladimir Putin: To finish up, I would like to draw your attention to the following: the list of instructions will certainly note the need to take additional measures for the adaptation of children of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation.

We will also note the issues of tourism, support for the ethnocultural parks that are being established now, including methodological support at the federal level.

Of course, we will note the need to review the proposal that was just made to create a national centre for studying the history of the Great Patriotic War, as well as the proposal to extend the terms for temporary stay of minors of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation.

Naturally, we will again return, in this list of instructions, to the National Population Census and the need to strictly comply with Russian Federation laws. In this context, it is vital to prevent any discrimination on social, ethnic, national, linguistic or religious grounds. These are extremely important issues.

Some other proposals that I consider important were also made at our meeting. I would like to ask the Presidential Executive Office to summarise them and present proposals to be included in the list of instructions.

Colleagues, I would like to thank all of you for continuing this work and for your participation in our today’s meeting. I hope we will continue to cooperate in the future.

I do not need to repeat how important your work is for multiethnic and multi-religious Russia.

Thank you very much.

Meeting of Council for Interethnic Relations Presidium

2021-02-19T14:41:25+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov chaired the first meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations Presidium in 2021.

The meeting participants discussed the results of implementing the state national policy in 2020 and tasks for 2021, as well as the agenda of the planned meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations, to be chaired by the President of Russia.

Opening the meeting, Magomedsalam Magomedov noted that the fight against the coronavirus epidemic had required the mobilisation of forces and resources of state institutions, researchers, doctors, volunteers and the whole of society. Russia showed its scientific and moral leadership to the world. First of all, this leadership was manifested in efforts to care for the people despite tremendous economic difficulties and international pressure, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office noted.

He also drew attention to the fact that the current situation had seriously affected the social well-being of citizens. However, a key indicator for evaluating the state national policy, namely, the average proportion of Russians giving a positive assessment of the state of interethnic relations, increased nationwide and in an overwhelming majority of Russian regions.

According to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office, the situation in the regions will be analysed down to the smallest detail at upcoming seminar meetings to be held in the federal districts with senior officials of the highest regional executive bodies and with participation of members of the Council for Interethnic Relations.

The nationwide vote on amendments to the Russian Constitution was named the main socio-political event of 2020. Approved by citizens, the constitutional amendments formalised positive trends of the current state national policy aiming to strengthen the unity of the multiethnic Russian nation, to ensure interethnic accord and to preserve ethnocultural and language diversity, Mr Magomedov noted.

In his report, Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs Igor Barinov briefed the meeting participants on the year’s results and upcoming tasks, as well as on the fulfilment of presidential instructions as regards interethnic relations.

Following the discussion, corresponding decisions were adopted. Apart from holding numerous important socio-political events in 2021, in the nearest future, the Council Presidium will focus on drafting an interdepartmental plan for implementing the Strategy of the State National Policy of the Russian Federation for the next three-year period, from 2022 to 2025.

The participants also discussed arrangements to select recipients of the annual Presidential Prize for contribution to strengthening the Russian nation’s unity. The Prize is awarded, at the recommendation of the Council for Interethnic Relations, for fruitful activities aimed at strengthening nationwide civic awareness and the spiritual community of the multiethnic Russian nation, to harmonise interethnic relations and expand the ethnocultural diversity of the peoples of Russia.

Meeting of Presidium of Council for Interethnic Relations

2020-09-21T13:07:14+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov chaired a meeting of the Presidium of the Council for Interethnic Relations.

During the meeting those taking part discussed matters related to the presentation of the Presidential Award for Contribution to Strengthening Russia’s National Unity.

The decision on presenting the award is made by the President based on the council’s proposals.

The award is presented to Russian citizens for their fruitful activities aimed at strengthening the nation-wide civil identity and spiritual unity of the many peoples of Russia, as well as harmonising interethnic relations and developing the ethnic and cultural diversity throughout the country.

Seminar meeting on implementing the State National Policy Strategy until 2025

2020-09-10T14:43:59+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office and Chairman of the Council for Interethnic Relations Magomedsalam Magomedov took part in a seminar meeting dedicated to current tasks involved in implementing the State National Policy Strategy for the period until 2025.

The seminar meeting was held at the Civic Chamber and attended by representatives of the Presidential Executive Office, federal and regional authorities, public and religious organisations, the expert community, and regional civic chambers from over 70 constituent entities of Russia.

Magomedsalam Magomedov noted that the consolidation of unity of the country’s multiethnic population as well as the preservation of ethnocultural diversity and interethnic accord were among the most important priorities of the state’s domestic policy, ensuring its integrity and security. The main aims and targets on this track are set out in the State National Policy Strategy.

He stressed that systemic work had been organised, coordinated by the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations and the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs with the participation of the relevant committees of the State Duma and the Federation Council, ministries and research institutes. At the same time, he emphasised that the constituent entities of the Russian Federation needed to conduct the systemic work in this area as well.

He reminded the participants that Vladimir Putin had addressed a meeting of the Council for Interethnic Relations and instructed the regional heads to take measures aimed at increasing the efficiency of public councils and other consultative bodies on interethnic and interreligious issues under the heads of constituent entities and municipalities.

Mr Magomedov also outlined a number of points requiring the direct involvement of public figures, scientists and experts. In his opinion, public reviews of draft laws, key government decisions and strategic plans, increased public control over the regional and municipal executive authorities’ activities in the area of interethnic relations, and development of relevant recommendations for government authorities will make it possible to energise civic chambers and involve more people in efforts to implement the State National Policy Strategy.

The participants in the meeting also discussed how to introduce methodological recommendations on ways of responding to conflict and pre-conflict situations in the area of interethnic and interfaith relations, as well as innovative approaches to dealing with migration problems.

Relevant recommendations have been approved following the meeting.

Magomedsalam Magomedov chaired a meeting of the Presidium of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations

2020-07-25T10:13:29+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov chaired a meeting of the Presidium of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations.

Mr Magomedov thanked the council members and heads of public organisations that fulfilled their civic duty during this difficult time for Russia and took an active part in providing humanitarian and volunteer aid to medical organisations and people in need during the pandemic.

“This is important and proves our solidarity,” he noted.

The nationwide vote on the amendments to the Russian Constitution was an essential public and political event. Several council members were delegated to a specially established working group to develop the amendments. Magomedsalam Magomedov thanked them for their work and stressed that the amendments envisaged positive trends in today’s state policy aimed at strengthening the unity of the multi-ethnic Russian nation, ensuring interethnic consent and preserving Russia’s ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity.

“The process for updating the legislative base we have started, the development of constitutional amendments in the law and legislative acts and actions of state bodies will mean enormous work that we need to focus on in the nearest future,” he concluded.

The meeting participants also discussed issues of information support for state policy implementation and they developed a number of proposals to upgrade this work.

In conclusion, nominees for the 2020 Presidential Prize for contributions to strengthening the unity of the Russian nation were reviewed and approved.

Meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations

2019-12-02T20:06:48+04:00

Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations in Nalchik.

The discussion focused on achieving the goals and objectives of Russia’s State Ethnic Policy Strategy.

Before the meeting, the President visited the Solnechny Gorod (Sunny City) children’s creative academy where he familiarised himself with projects by young designers and engineers.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues,

First of all, I would like to thank the head of the republic for this children’s centre that we just visited. It is a wonderful academy. I highly recommend visiting it. Similar centres are springing up in many Russian regions. By the end of the year, one more institution for gifted children will open. The academy seems to be running smoothly and the team is very nice. I am talking about the instructors. The kids are great, no question about that. The instructors are all young, energetic and well-educated. As far as I understand, they are both qualified teachers and professionals in their respective fields. They seem very passionate about their work. I was happy to see that. A centre for gifted children will open at the end of the year. They will work in collaboration with other similar regional education institutions.

I would like to welcome everyone to the meeting of the Council for Interethnic Relations. As you can see, this meeting is taking place in Kabardino-Balkaria − in Nalchik, one of the capitals of the North Caucasus.

I am sure many will agree that overall, the North Caucasus has great significance for all of multi-ethnic Russia. For centuries, representatives of many ethnicities have been living here side by side and every one of these groups is unique and authentic; they are rightly proud of their history, language, culture, their heroes, hard workers and athletes. It is a region where people cherish the traditions of hospitality, respect for parents, the elderly and family.

Of course, the people of the Caucasus have proven their love for their native land many times and their willingness to stand as one and defend our common Fatherland, defend Russia.

These patriotic values unite all of Russian society and lie at the heart of the interethnic peace and interfaith accord that form the fundamental and indisputable conditions for the sustainable development of Russian regions, the consistency of our legal framework, education and cultural domains.

That said, interethnic relations require constant attention, consistent and thorough work. Just like one’s own health, it needs to be taken care of fulltime.

I would like to ask the heads of the regions without exception to personally keep an eye on issues related to the State Ethnic Policy and rely on ethnic and cultural public associations, including those represented here today.

Today we will discuss how to define their legal status more accurately and how to better systematise the cooperation between these organisations and authorities at all levels, from municipal to federal. And the managers at all levels must, of course, pay attention to the views, expert opinions and initiatives offered by the representatives of ethnic diasporas, intelligentsia, clergy and youth leaders. Their voices must be heard from the platforms of public councils and other advisory bodies that we have already established and will create at the regional and local levels.

Of course, it is not enough to just create these bodies. It is important that they function and function efficiently, meet not just occasionally but become stakeholders in handling routine tasks, tasks that are imperative to the development of society and the state in general; that they participate in the discussions of truly topical and urgent problems, and work in partnership with the government.

On behalf of the authorities, this dialogue must be entrusted to qualified and knowledgeable people who understand the nuances of interethnic and interfaith relations, and have an expert knowledge of cultural and humanitarian affairs. As you know, I instructed you to take additional measures to improve the training and professional development of these specialists. Please continue this work so that people have opportunities for professional growth. It is necessary to utilise the potential of our leading universities, double down on modern teaching methods, online resources, distance learning, practical` training, inter-regional exchanges, including those under the Education and Culture national projects.

In addition, it is necessary to take into consideration the changes we made to the State Ethnic Policy Strategy, revise and improve other documents used in strategic planning, including such areas as patriotic education and youth policy, as well as programmes for the socioeconomic development of our territories.

The issue of labour migration and migration policy in general is topical for all regions. It is necessary to take well-considered, effective measures on the social adaptation of migrants. We are hospitable hosts and must help those who want to live, study and work with us. At the same time it is essential to resolutely eliminate risks, including the dissemination of extremism and all kinds of radical movements.

Colleagues,

The United Nations declared this year the Year of Indigenous Languages. We will discuss today what events have been held in this country under this declaration.

By the way, it was already suggested holding a Year of Folk Art and Immaterial Patrimony of Our Peoples, in Russia. I think one of the initiators of this proposal is here in the hall. Is this right?

Chairman of the Public Council of the Moscow House of Nationalities Vladimir Zorin: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: Let’s do it. Let’s do it in 2022. It is important to fill its programme with meaningful content and take into account the specific features of each of our regions.

Colleagues,

We have already embarked on the preparations for the 75^th anniversary of the Great Victory. The upcoming year was proclaimed the Year of Memory and Glory in this country. All events devoted to the anniversary of the Great Patriotic War must be held at the highest level.

Each of the peoples of Russia and the Soviet Union contributed to the victory both at the front and in the rear. We must again recall what caused the war and brought about a tragedy that took a toll of tens of millions of lives, who helped the Nazis, who pushed them eastward, and also recall that it was the Soviet Union that played a decisive role in the rout of the aggressor and the liberation of Europe and the rest of the world. We must know and cherish the truth about the greatest tragedy of humanity.

I would like to ask the Council members and public organisations throughout the country to be proactive in preparations for the Great Victory anniversary.

Let’s get own to our today’s agenda.

<…>

Vladimir Putin: It’s time to wrap it up, colleagues.

I want to thank you for this very lively and substantive discussion. In general, I must say that every time we meet, we tend to pick up the pace, and the questions get more important and to the point. They are all important.

Of course, it is deplorable that the materials posted by leading online media do not reflect the importance of what we talked about today. I have mentioned this many times before, and you know it as well as I do, since you engage in this almost professionally, that no issue is more important in Russia – a complex country with many ethnicities and religions – than ethnic relations. If we want the Russian nation to become united in the broad sense of the word, then of course, we must keep working at this all the time and we will do this.

The fact that such questions are raised at our meetings suggests that this is an endless theme of discussion for us. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, we must keep doing this at all times, just like people must always take care of their health.

I want to thank you for your proposals. We will now be getting ready for our next meeting. However, this does not mean that we will not be working during the time between now and our next meeting. On the contrary, my colleagues, including Mr Kiriyenko, Mr Mutko, the ministers, representatives of both chambers of the parliament and Mr Magomedov who is in charge of these issues at the Presidential Executive Office on an ongoing basis, and I – we will always support you. And we will do our best to implement as many of today’s proposals as possible.

In case we ran out of time before you had an opportunity to make your point, please contact Mr Magomedov. He is at your disposal, and you can use him to convey your message to me as well. Thank you very much.

I do not think we will see each other in this format before the New Year, so, even though December has not yet come, I wish you happy holidays, good health, prosperity and happiness.

Thank you very much.

Magomedsalam Magomedov took part in All-Russian National Unity Forum

2019-10-12T11:02:23+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov took part in the All-Russian National Unity Forum held in Khanty-Mansiysk.

Opening the plenary session, Magomedsalam Magomedov read greetings from the President.

In his speech, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office noted the work done to implement the State Ethnic Policy Strategy and focused on the topical tasks in this area.

Mr Magomedov stressed that almost 80 percent of the population today believe inter-ethnic relations are friendly and conflict-free. “However, this accord can only be maintained and strengthened via continuous cooperation and a constructive dialogue between all the specialists, civil society organisations and expert community members involved,” Mr Magomedov said.

The All-Russian National Unity Forum is held annually with the support of the Presidential Council for Inter-Ethnic Relations and the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs in order to increase the effectiveness of the implementation of the state ethnic policy at the federal, regional and municipal levels.

As part of his trip, Mr Magomedov met with Governor of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area – Yugra Natalya Komarova. They discussed topical issues related to inter-ethnic relations and the socioeconomic development of the region.

Meeting of the Council for Interethnic Relations Presidium

2019-09-20T18:31:36+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov chaired a meeting of the Presidium of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations.

The meeting participants discussed the results of the evaluating nominations for the 2019 Presidential Award for Contributions to Strengthening Russia’s National Unity. A decision was made to nominate candidates for consideration at a special meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations.

Presidium members and invited speakers discussed the situation of the Roma population in Russia. Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs Igor Barinov reported on the implementation of a package of measures for the socioeconomic and cultural development of Roma people in the Russian Federation.

President of the Federal National-Cultural Autonomy of the Russian Roma Nadezhda Demetr spoke about the problems in her community.

During the discussion, participants specifically pointed out the need to improve the legal status of ethnic Roma, their preschool and general education, and more effective socialisation in areas with high concentrations of ethnic communities.

Respective decisions were adopted following the meeting.

Meeting of Council for Interethnic Relations Presidium

2019-07-10T20:31:03+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov chaired a meeting of the Presidium of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations.

Presidium members and invited speakers discussed a number of matters related to preparing the next meeting of the Council for Interethnic Relations, as well as general matters regarding inter-agency cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, Presidium members approved a list of nominees for the 2019 Presidential Award for Contributions to Strengthening Russia’s National Unity, and discussed the organisation of an independent review of the applications.

Seminar conference on state ethnic policy

2019-03-29T20:06:28+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov, together with Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Siberian Federal District Sergey Menyaylo held an annual seminar conference on implementing the State Ethnic Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation to 2025.

In particular, Magomedsalam Magomedov noted the high rates of public satisfaction with interethnic relations in the Siberian Federal District and stressed the need to regularly update regional documents related to implementing state ethnic policy.

Noting the district specifics, the deputy head of the Presidential Executive Office pointed out the importance of supporting the indigenous peoples of Siberia leading traditional ways of life; complying with laws regarding the study of the official Russian language and the native languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation; expanding the houses of friendship infrastructure (houses of ethnic groups) primarily in multi-ethnic regions and regions under migration pressure.

The seminar conference was attended by Governor of Altai Territory Viktor Tomenko, Governor of Omsk Region Alexander Burkov, representatives of the Presidential Executive Office, the Presidential Council on Interethnic Relations and government bodies of the Russian regions located in the Siberian Federal District, as well as the research and expert community.

Corresponding recommendations were adopted following the meeting.

In addition, during his trip to Altai Territory, Magomedsalam Magomedov held a working meeting with Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Siberian Federal District Sergey Menyaylo and Governor of Altai Territory Viktor Tomenko.

Magomedsalam Megomedov visits Smolensk Region

2019-03-20T21:30:09+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Megomedov attended the annual meeting on the State National Policy Strategy until 2025 in the Central Federal District.

Magomedsalam Megomedov commented on the positive dynamics in interethnic relations in the regions of the Central Federal District. He used the high numbers of Belgorod and Smolensk regions as examples and also noted the significant improvements in Moscow and Moscow Region over the last four years.

Mr Megomedov stressed the urgent need to renew regional plans on the implementation of the State National Policy Strategy until 2025.

“It is important that these documents really work, that they are related to our goals and tasks, are funded, and have clear, tangible results,” he emphasised.

The meeting participants focused on the wellbeing of the Russian people and their ethnic and cultural development in the context of implementing the state national policy as well as the support of regional interethnic cooperation platforms and the constant analysis of migration flows in the district’s regions.

During the meetings, the participants, senior regional officials and experts discussed the situation, and corresponding decisions were adopted following the session.

During his trip to Smolensk Region, Magomedsalam Megomedov held a working meeting with Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Central Federal District Igor Shchegolev and Smolensk Region Governor Alexei Ostrovsky.