Nikita Vlasov on Vesti.FM on differences between EU and Russian migration policy

A feature of Russia's policy in the sphere of interethnic relations has always been the realization that the foundation of a statehood should be based on the harmonious relations between numerous ethnic groups, the analyst of Vestnik Kavkaza, Nikita Vlasov, said in the aired today on Vesti FM National Question program, speaking about the differences in the migration policy of the European Union and Russia.

He explained that the basis of the existence of the Russian state has always been the policy of building harmonious interethnic relations, and Europe in this sense is historically a more complex and diverse object. ”The interethnic relations policy has long been built up differently in the south of Europe or, for example, in Scandinavia or the UK. And the participation, for example, of Yakuts or Tuvinians in the all-Russian building, is a result of long historical, economic and social processes," the expert said.

Referring to the events of the modern times, the expert noted that the ‘discovery’ of Europe for external migration had a serious impact on the development of the social and political institutions, and, of course, became the subject of internal political discussion. "In Europe, there are NGOs that welcome migration and do their best to help migrants and refugees. Conservatives do not welcome migrants and some people share this view, "Nikita Vlasov said, noting that in Europe this problem is a cleavage line.

"Moreover, in the EU, there is no consensus in case of Syrian or North African migrants, although there are pan-European values of tolerance and universal acceptance that are tailored to help those in trouble. Some Europeans are wondering why they should share part of their own income with migrants. If some Syrian comes, why they should help him. In many EU countries, the demographic balance also changes amid so many refugees coming. 

Further, the analyst drew attention to the fact that unlike the European migration policy, the Russian migrant policy is based on a deep historical and social memory of the Russian Empire, the USSR, relations with the countries of Central Asia or the South Caucasus.  "That is why Russia has always advocated unity among the Eastern states, regardless of their national or confessional composition and against the fact that the national and confessional contradictions were the subject of political bargaining," Nikita Vlasov concluded.