North Caucasus sets course for stability and consolidation

Despite the multi-vector development and interests of the North Caucasus republics, in terms of inter-ethnic relations they set course for the stabilization and consolidation of the population, a member of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations, Deputy Director of the Institute for Ethnology and Anthropology of the RAS, Vladimir Zorin, said, speaking with the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza.

"The leaders came onto the scene in the North Caucasus, which express the all-Russian interests. The fact of participation of Chechens and Dagestani together with the Russian and other nationalities in the settlement of the Syrian conflict, peacemaking actions is a very important factor. There are new aspects in the fight against international terrorism - the cooperation with civil society is increasing, due to which not only special operations are being carry out, but a whole range of humanitarian issues is being solved. It is very important," he said.

In particular, the expert praised the work of the head of Dagestan Ramazan Abdulatipov. "The data of objective analysis and monitoring say that his policy is constructive. The republic is developing in a positive direction, which naturally irritates critics - but it is not them, who set the main vector of movement today," Vladimir Zorin expressed confidence.

The North Caucasus, as well as other Russian regions, must respond to both internal and external challenges to its security and interethnic unity. "Among internal threats are the difficult economic situation, social stratification, high levels of corruption, an attempt to politicize the inter-ethnic relations and migration policy, as well as the non-systemic opposition, which is trying to ride the immigration and national issues. In some cases, is is accompanied by a direct closure with nationalists. It is a very alarming symptom, which requires serious analysis," the member of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations warned.

According to him, promotion of a right-wing ideology in the West is a key external threat. "Europe is turning right, there are  policy rethinking processes in respect of Russia. The Trump factor, setting new standards of migration policy in relation to allies, may have a serious impact. The current general rhetoric in the world plays into the hands of radical elements in our country and the people who are determined to criticize and change the balance of international relations," Vladimir Zorin concluded.