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Opening the forum’s plenary meeting dedicated to assisting in the study of the key issues in the implementation of state policy on ethnic affairs and to developing solutions, Magomedsalam Magomedov noted how much has been done to boost the effectiveness of governance in the sphere of interethnic relations thanks to the President’s decisions. Officials responsible for this activity have been assigned duties and authorised to do the job in all constituent entities of the Russian Federation and municipal districts.

Local leaders have started to better grasp the importance of state policy on ethnic affairs as a comprehensive means of strengthening security, stability and territorial integrity. Special attention was given to dialogue between the authorities, civic institutions and the expert community.

Mr Magomedov said that bolstering Russian civic identity is a strategic priority requiring systematic efforts and must remain at the centre of attention.

Today, there is little tolerance for incidents involving the outrageous behaviour of some individuals who ignore or violate the behavioural norms and customs of indigenous people. The emergence of ethnic “enclaves”, primarily among labour migrants and members of their families, is hindering the integration of these people into Russian society and contributes to higher crime rates. It is also creating a breeding ground for nationalism and xenophobia, attracting people who want to provoke conflict with local residents on the basis of ethnicity and religion.

Mr Magomedov noted that regardless of ethnic, racial, religious or other types of affiliation, citizens and guests of our country must respect the Constitution and laws of the Russian Federation.

He said that the reemergent practice of highlighting the ethnicity of criminals or parties to conflicts in the media and public spaces has raised serious concern, and called attempts to incite ethnic tensions by spreading this sort of information unacceptable.