World Congress of Compatriots Living Abroad is taking place in Moscow. The Congress was addressed by Vladimir Putin, presidential webpage reports.
Among other issues, the President noted that “We are facing large-scale tasks to ensure breakthrough, sustainable long-term growth. Our compatriots can make a great contribution to this constructive work by promoting cooperation projects with Russia. However, circumstances could develop in different ways. Therefore, we will be happy to see those who want to come to Russia on a temporary basis, as well as those who apply for citizenship and permanent residence in Russia. As for those illegally persecuted, those in danger, we will make every effort to ensure their protection and provide a shelter.”
“A new edition of the State Migration Policy Concept is aimed at creating more comfortable conditions for our compatriots from abroad to move to Russia for permanent residence, as well as at creating clear rules for entry and entitlement to residence, work, and Russian citizenship. We will continue to improve the state program to facilitate the voluntary resettlement of compatriots living abroad to the Russian Federation. About 800,000 people have moved to 66 Russian regions in the past 12 years that the program has been in force”, he said.
According to the President, “The number of people wishing to return to their homeland has been growing. We will continue to facilitate the process of adaptation, to simplify procedures, together with regional and local authorities, businesses, and public associations, to work on improving the quality of life of displaced persons, to create jobs for them, and to improve the conditions for doing business”.