MOSCOW, October 13. /TASS/. Russia is open to all foreigners who share and respect its values and culture, according to a welcoming address by Russian Historical Society Chairman and Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin to participants of the Third International Catherine Forum.
The address was read out by Ruslan Gagkuev, chairman of the board of the Russian Historical Society and executive director of the History of the Fatherland Foundation.
"Today, Russia is open to everyone who shares its spiritual and moral values, respects the culture and traditions of the peoples inhabiting our country, and seeks to build their future here," Naryshkin noted. "I am convinced that the proposals developed here will help continue a centuries-old tradition through which people from different countries have found a new homeland in Russia."
According to the chairman, over the centuries Russia has attracted people from all corners of the world, "who found opportunities here for work, creativity and self-fulfillment." "The ability to unite representatives of a wide variety of peoples while preserving the diversity of their traditions and cultures has been and remains a key foundation of Russian statehood, our civilizational advantage and an integral part of our national character," he added.
"This characteristic was particularly evident during the reign of Catherine II. In response to her call, tens of thousands of people from German lands, Switzerland and the Netherlands moved to Russia. As we approach the 300th anniversary of the empress’s birth, it is encouraging that this year’s Catherine Forum is revisiting this historical experience, which remains relevant to this day," the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service director concluded.
About the forum
The Catherine Forum is an international public and government platform dedicated to Russia’s civilizational development, traditional spiritual and moral values, and international humanitarian cooperation.
The forum is being held for the third time this year. Its agenda focuses on integrating foreign nationals moving to Russia, attracting highly qualified foreign specialists, reducing barriers for people relocating to the country, supporting Russian-speaking communities abroad, public diplomacy and Russia’s image in the international media landscape.
TASS is the informational partner of the forum.