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The message reads, in part:

“Your forum rightfully enjoys high respect and prestige, and for many years, it has been bringing together famous scientists, experts, university professors and representatives of specialised ministries and agencies. It raises before its participants serious issues linked with the development of high-priority aspects of the national school of history, anthropology, ethnology, and training skilled specialists.

I would like to note that the current meeting marks a significant date, the 180^th anniversary of establishing the Ethnographic Commission of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society. The Commission paved the way for systematic studies of unique cultures, languages, traditions and lifestyles of our country’s nations. It became a genuine cradle of academic science and accomplished a lot in the sphere of wide-ranging public education projects.

Let me stress that we sincerely cherish the immensely rich historical and spiritual asset -good relations between representatives of various religions and cultures that are passed on from generation to generation. I am confident that the preservation of inter-ethnic peace and accord and the protection of traditional values is the main and key guarantee of Russia’s sustained and sovereign development. And, of course, it is important to strengthen constructive dialogue between state agencies and civil society institutions. Therefore, substantive and large-scale initiatives, including, without doubt, your forum, assume major significance.”