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The Russian President said it was necessary to place firm barriers against public xenophobia and extremism.

Russia is a unique country, where Christianity, Judaism and Islam have harmoniously coexisted for centuries. This harmonious coexistence is the strength on which the multiethnic Russian nation rests, the President said.

Mr Putin highlighted the honourable contribution of the Jewish people to the development of the Russian state and culture, and approved recent initiatives of the Jewish community with regard to sensitive foreign political events. He referred, in particular, to an address of the Russian Jewish community to US public organisations concerning the abolition of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment.

The President was told about community programmes, and school and synagogue construction.

Mr Putin congratulated the community spokesmen and all Jews in Russia on the upcoming Passover.

Berl Lazar, the Chief Rabbi of Russia, thanked Mr Putin for the reception and congratulations.