The Federation Council Speaker has met with the leaders of ethno-cultural public organisations and religious associations of the Republic of Crimea on the sidelines of the Livadia Forum.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko met with the leaders of ethno-cultural public organisations and religious associations of the Republic of Crimea on the sidelines of the 5th International Humanitarian Livadia Forum.
The Federation Council Speaker noted that this year is special because it marks the fifth anniversary of the events that will be known in history as the Crimean Spring. It has become a symbol of nationwide unity, she said.
The head of the upper chamber stressed the importance of the peninsula for millions of Russians, noting that Crimea can rightly be called one of the spiritual centres of Russia.
Valentina Matvienko pointed out that the peninsula is remarkable for its amazing ethnic diversity. “In Crimea, as well as elsewhere in Russia, it is important to focus on strengthening peace and conciliation, combining the efforts of the state and civil society,” she said.
She added that during the integration of Crimea, inter-ethnic dialogue was given as much attention as the development of the local economy and infrastructure.
“Only with mutual trust and mutual respect between people of different ethnicity and religion is it possible to establish a happy and peaceful life and the dynamic development of the region.”
Valentina Matvienko also mentioned the preparation for the World Conference on Interfaith and Interethnic Dialogue initiated by Russia and supported by the UN.
Other topics covered during the discussion included enhancing the role of public and religious organisations in strengthening the unity of the multi-ethnic country, the role of the Russian language, the preservation of native languages and traditions, and the cooperation of different religions in consolidating Russia’s unity.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker Iliyas Umakhanov, member of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Sergei Tsekov, Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov, Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov, Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs Igor Barinov, and representatives of ethno-cultural public organisations and religious associations of the Republic of Crimea.