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The officials reached agreements on protecting the rights of Russian children abroad and developing international cooperation in the sphere of childhood. In particular, joint work to repatriate children from military conflict zones and further socialise them in their homeland will continue.

During the meeting, Maria Lvova-Belova presented a number of proposals to Sergei Lavrov based on citizens’ appeals that the office of the children’s ombudsperson received. The proposals include enhancing the work of diplomatic missions to inform and provide legal assistance to compatriots, regarding protection of the rights and legitimate interests of minors living abroad.

As a rule, such families and citizens receive assistance from lawyers of the states in whose jurisdiction the disputes are heard. According to the Commissioner, foreign lawyers do not show due interest in providing our fellow citizens with qualified legal assistance. This is especially true for lawyers appointed by the state, as well as for lawyers who provide professional assistance on a gratuitous basis.

In addition, the office of the children’s ombudsperson sees problems with the provision of qualified medical care to Russian children who are travelling abroad on holiday. Maria Lvova-Belova asked for assistance from the Russian Foreign Ministry in establishing regular interaction between large medical centres that provide care to Russians in case of emergency in the resort areas of Turkey, Egypt, Thailand and other countries, and their Russian counterparts via telemedicine.

The parties also discussed school education in the Russian language for the children of our compatriots.

They also addressed the problem of false information about Russia’s actions to evacuate and accommodate children from Donbass, circulating on international platforms and in foreign media.