Russian President Dmitry Medvedev appointed Constantine Kosachev as head of Rossotrudnichestvo (Russian Federal Agency for CIS, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation).
Andrey Kazantsev, Director of the Center for Analysis of MGIMO, told Vestnik Kavkaza that Kosachev is a notable figure, a state official with good reputation and is authoritative.
Rasim Musabekov, an Azerbaijani MP, called Kosachev an honest and competent specialist who would contribute to developing ties between Azerbaijan and Russia.
Andrey Kazantsev believes that the appointment would make Rossotrudnichestvo a more influential organization. He called it a structure capable of coping with the abruption between post-Soviet states.
Rasim Musabekov expects no major changes after the appointment, because Russian-Azerbaijani bilateral cooperation is advanced enough.
Kazantsev says Rossotrudnichestvo could play a significant role in developing ties with CIS states, education in Russian language, assistance in cultural programs of Russia and the CIS. He reminded about use of non-state organizations, such as Russki Mir, as an essential factor.
Rossotrudnichestvo is a subsidiary structure of the Russian Foreign Ministry and functions using own offices or Russian embassies in 74 states. It has 83 branches, 58 Russian centers for science and culture.
Rossotrudnichestvo is promoting an impartial image of modern Russia, its material and spiritual potential. Humanitarian cooperation, support of Russian language abroad and aid for compatriots living abroad are some of its special functions.
