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Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office and Chairman of the Presidium of the Council for Interethnic Relations Magomedsalam Magomedov met with participants in the Mashuk 2014 North Caucasus Youth Forum to discuss the prospects and objectives of implementing state ethnic policy. Mr Magomedov said that this is rightly considered a big priority for the authorities and for society as a whole.

“Unity between peoples is the main factor of stability. When there is no harmony between citizens, entire countries fall apart,” he said, noting the example shown by the recent tragic events in Ukraine.

Mr Magomedov said that ethnic diversity has always been one of Russia’s strengths, and this means that attempts by any groups to play on interethnic differences in Russia are doomed to fail.

Deputy Chief of Staff said that work with young people is a particular important part of implementing ethnic policy, because young people’s views and aspirations play such a big part in shaping the country’s future. The Mashuk youth forum is a good example in the way it brings together young people from a very ethnically diverse range of regions to look for solutions to common problems.

“This forum is an excellent platform for discussion and gives young people the opportunity to demonstrate their own potential and meet like-minded people,” Mr Magomedov said. 

Mr Magomedov answered questions from forum participants on support for young workers and rural youth, the positive and negative aspects of ethnic community organisations, employment for young people, migration, and other topical issues.

While visiting Pyatigorsk, Mr Magomedov also met with Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District Sergei Melikov to discuss implementing ethnic policy and the development outlook for the regions that make up the North Caucasus Federal District. Mr Magomedov outlined a broad range of tasks facing the Federal District, including with regard to implementing decisions taken at meetings of the Security Council and the Council for Interethnic Relations.