Vladimir Zorin: ethnic policy in Russia has improved

"Vladimir Zorin: ethnic policy in Russia has improved," vestnikkavkaza.net

Image (presumably of Zorin) from article

In recent years Russia is on the way to improve the efficiency and quality of ethnic and migration policy, a member of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations, Vladimir Zorin, said today in an interview to Vestnik Kavkaza, noting that several factors are working on it.

‘’Among the reasons for improvement in the field of the interethnic relations are the consolidation of society in relation to the external threats, the credibility of our national leader, the great work of the governmental bodies and civil society institutions, as well as the implementation of the doctrinal documents on the state of ethnic and migration policy strategy as a whole. This overall work leads to the fact that, according to the monitoring assessments, the situation in the sphere of interethnic relations has improved,’’ he said.

Among the results of the work, Vladimir Zorin cited the decline of xenophobia in society. ‘’In particular, there are fewer manifestations of open hostility towards migrants, the tone of the media has changed, and this also applies to external and internal migration, especially since it is difficult to distinguish them in Russia, these topics are very close here. The migration controlling system is changing. The latest thing that has been done is to strengthen the role of the Interior Ministry. The rights and interests of the subjects of the federative and local governing bodies are growing in the settlement of the migration situation,’’ the expert said.

"We cannot say that we have no problems or shortcomings, but when compared with Europe, then it is simply night and day. The Russian state has accumulated some experience, which has evolved over the post-Soviet period, taking into account the practices of other countries. Russia is now in 2nd-3rd place in volume of migration, and we understand that migration will continue to be present in our domestic and foreign policy, in international relations. In this regard, we must do everything to ensure that the migration factor becomes a source of economic growth, a source of the strengthening of our country. I think we will succeed in it,’’ Vladimir Zorin expressed confidence.

Despite the political conflict with Europe, Russia continues to exchange experiences in this field with the European countries. "A dialogue is conducted with research institutions in France, Germany and other European countries, because the problems that we have are common: the regulation of flows of migrant workers, migrant workers who want to be integrated. There are issues about resettlement, issues of citizenship, and many others on which there is a dialogue between experts. Such a great resource as public diplomacy is also involved. In general, Europe pays more and more attention to our practice, which can be very useful for them,’’ the member of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations concluded.