The organizations bringing together Russians in Greece make a significant contribution to the strengthening of Russian-Greek relations and establishing a positive image of Russia, Russian Ambassador to Greece Andrey Maslov said
ATHENS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 17th September, 2018) The organizations bringing together Russians in Greece make a significant contribution to the strengthening of Russian-Greek relations and establishing a positive image of Russia, Russian Ambassador to Greece Andrey Maslov said.
The ambassador spoke on Sunday, at the countrywide conference of the Russians living abroad, where delegates to the World Congress of Compatriots were elected.
"The World Congress of Compatriots, which will be held at the end of October or in November in Moscow, will be a very large and important event, and statement by Russian President [Vladimir Putin] is expected," the ambassador said.
Maslov said that the Russian leadership attached great importance to the issues of the Russian citizens living abroad.
"According to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, all-encompassing support of [our] compatriots, upholding their legitimate rights and interests is among our clear priorities, which is also codified in Russia's foreign policy concept," the Russian ambassador said.
Maslov stressed that the movement set up by the Russians abroad was an important factor in public diplomacy.
"We are all interested in consolidating the movement of compatriots, in consolidating the Russian world, we are interested in boosting the standing of its representatives in the states of residence," Maslov added.
According to the ambassador, great attention to the situation of compatriots was paid at July meeting of Russian ambassadors in Moscow.
"The whole plenary session was devoted to this issue. It was noted that representatives of the diaspora demonstrate growing solidarity, in spite of the efforts of certain forces that are doing everything to split the Russian world and Russian diaspora abroad. The compatriots' organizations showed viability, persistence in solving many pressing issues," the ambassador said.
The Russian-language media, including digital outlets, have great prospects, in his opinion.
"Here, in Greece, the process of integration continues, the geography of the compatriots' movement is expanding. The desire to preserve and spread the Russian language remains an important consolidating factor. And the way it is implemented in Greece, of course, deserves support and appreciation," Maslov said.
The ambassador remarked on a major role and success of the Coordination Council of the Russians abroad and the Council of Russian-language schools.
"The community's contribution to the strengthening of Russian-Greek relations in various fields, but primarily, of course, in the cultural and humanitarian fields is noticeable. In many cases, local organizations help promote people's democracy, help build a positive image of our country, and do a great deal of work to combat falsification of history of our country. They contribute to the development of interregional cooperation," the ambassador said at the conference.
Maslov also noted the contribution of compatriots to the presidential elections in Russia in 2018. According to him, excellent events were held on the Victory Day - the St. George's Ribbon action, the Immortal Regiment marches.
"Large-scale marches took place in a number of Greek cities for the second year in a row and brought together thousands of people. It is estimated that there were 4,000 people only in Athens, which, of course, is a very high figure for the country in Western Europe," Maslov said.
The Russian ambassador especially noted that young people organized an independent association in February this year, and the representatives of youth actively participate in international events for compatriots.
"An international internet quiz for compatriots 'Crimea in the history of Russian world' has recently been launched. The winners of the quiz will have an opportunity to visit the peninsula with on an educational tour," the ambassador said.
The head of the diplomatic mission said that the embassy continues to assist the community in the implementation of its useful projects.
"I want to assure you that we will continue our interaction with you," Maslov said, addressing the participants of the conference.
The conference elected six delegates to the World Congress of Compatriots. Almost all participants of the conference noted the important role of the media in their speeches and said that it was necessary to publish more information about Russia in the language of the country of residence.
