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Key topics addressed were preparing a government action plan to implement in 2016–2018 the Strategy for the Russian Federation’s State Ethnic Policy for the period through 2025 and creating a system to monitor the state of interethnic relations and provide early warning of interethnic conflicts.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov noted that by creating the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs, the state ethnic policy system is now complete. At the federal level, the President has confirmed a fundamental strategy for implementing state ethnic policy and the Cabinet has already concluded the first three-year cycle of its implementation. The federal target programme aimed at strengthening the unity of the Russian nation and the ethno-cultural development of the peoples of Russia is in effect. Plans and programme measures to implement the federal strategy have been formed and financially provided for in most regions, taking into account local particularities; and a management vertical has been created that is responsible for implementing the state ethnic policy locally. At the same time, Russia’s interethnic situation continues to move in a positive direction.

In his speech, Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs (FAEA) Igor Barinov reported on preparing the action plan to implement the Strategy for the Russian Federation’s State Ethnic Policy for the period through 2025 in 2016–2018. Preparation of the plan was carried out with participation by representatives of ethnic community organisations, as well as scientific and expert communities. Out of about 500 suggestions submitted, 99 Russia-wide and regional actions were selected. A great deal of attention will be given to information support for implementing the state ethnic policy and boosting cooperation with civil society.

The FAEA is currently completing preparations to implement a system to monitor the state of interethnic relations and an early warning system for interethnic conflicts. According to Mr Barinov, the system will allow for the overall assessment of economic and social factors that affect the possible emergence of hotbeds of tension and react quickly to the situation. In particular, the system will allow for the comprehensive handling of data from social networks, media, public opinion research centres, special services and law enforcement agencies. Currently, the system is being tested in the Republic of Crimea, Sverdlovsk Region and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area-Yugra.

The meeting also addressed issues which were proposed for consideration at upcoming Council meetings. In particular, support was given to the ideas of holding a meeting on cooperation between civil society institutions, the government and municipal governments when implementing state ethnic policy, as well as a joint meeting with the Russian Federation State Council presidium on ensuring the rights and interests of indigenous peoples in implementing state policy in the Arctic region.