Russian President Vladimir Putin told attendants of the 4th World Congress of Compatriots that Russia was planning to open new consulates in states with Russian communities, mainly CIS states, RIA Novosti reports.
The president said that compatriots may contribute to socio-economic development, improvement of international authority and prestige, development of the Russian language and culture, promotion of ethic values.
He reminded about the new version of the federal law on state policy for compatriots. The goal is to consolidate Russian communities, protect their interests according to international norms.
Putin added that world and local coordination councils of compatriots played a great role. They gain support, financial aid. Press and Internet resources get assistance.
The president reminded that a mass program of state support for compatriots was passed for 2012-2014. The Foundation for Protection of Compatriots was launched in January. It offers legal assiatance to protect ethnic and cultural rights.
A new state program of voluntary migration of compatriots to Russia will be launched in 2013. It was developed with account of the previous program. About 100,000 people made use of the previous program.
The key goal is to preserve ethnic and cultural identity, strengthening of the Russian language abroad, especially in post-Soviet states. The Russian Language Federal Program was developed for the purpose for 2011-2015.
The World Congress of Compatriots is held in Saint-Petersburg. Delegates arrived from over 90 countries, representing large Russian communities.
