Transcript:

Dmitry Medvedev:  Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, this is the first time we are meeting in this format, as they say. I hope it will be an interesting event. I am glad to be able to address you, especially since such meetings  could become  regular.

Strengthening Russia’s standing abroad and using cultural events to secure our national interests in the world are among our key priorities. The cultural dimension is coming to the fore on the international stage. The Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Cultural Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), which was established four years ago, should become a key instrument of so-called soft power. A country’s influence largely depends on its ability to promote its national cultural values and language and to export them. In fact, this is a special resource of international leadership that is directly connected to the human potential. These instruments are often more effective than others, which explains their growing importance. According to experts, countries with a strong soft power brand attract the bulk of foreign direct investment and technologies, and our rivals are readily utilising this instrument in their pursuit of our talented young people and innovative professionals, which is nothing unusual. We must do the same by creating good conditions for creative efforts at home. Of course, Russia remains a very strong country in this respect, given its competitive advantages in fundamental sciences and education, even though we are critical of the current situation in these areas. But this cannot change the fact that Russia remains a powerful country in the field of science and education.

The world has a special interest in Russian literature, art and music. It is only natural that a Russian diaspora of more than 30 million objectively reinforces our soft power potential. But it is also obvious – and we all admit this as well – that our cultural presence in the world does not correspond to our possibilities. Truth be told, we are now regaining the positions that we ceded, for reasons which are known to everyone, in the 1990s. We are way behind such serious international players in this area as the Francophonie or the Goethe, Cervantes, Dante and Confucius institutes. We should emulate their best achievements, especially as Russia ranks only 10^th in the soft power index calculated for the period of 2005-2010 by the Moscow School of Management Skolkovo in particular, among others.

As for our military power, we all understand that Russia is not in 10^th place in this area, which makes for a major disproportion. The top three powers are the United States, France and Germany.

I will now speak about the goals that I think we should attain. The Russian Cultural Centres are the points of reference for Russia’s cultural presence, our main cultural missions abroad. I have been told that another 35 such centres will open by 2015. Of course, we should increase their number, but it would be unreasonable to increase numbers only, especially since our financial possibilities are not unlimited. We should think above all about the essence and new methods of their work aimed at modernising the centres and making them multifunctional, and thus capable of catering to people from various social strata and age groups who are interested in Russia. Their effectiveness should be judged by more practical indicators such as the number of people who study Russian or who are involved in cultural exchanges, the number of themed courses and the quality of information resources and websites.

Second, we should pay special attention to the operation of such centres in the Commonwealth of Independent States, which should promote integration in the CIS countries. A major instrument in this area will be the Interstate Targeted Programme for Innovation Cooperation Between CIS Member States Until 2020. Rossotrudnichestvo has been appointed to coordinate its implementation.

One more foreign policy priority is to create pro-modernisation alliances with international partners. Cultural guidelines should be adjusted to be oriented toward these goals, and should help to attract advanced technologies and highly skilled professionals and to expand our presence in the global markets. At the same time, we should also take into account geopolitical trends for the appearance of new economic centres in the Asia-Pacific Region and for Eurasian integration.

The third and most important part of our work is contacts with our compatriots abroad, our ties with the global Russian community. This is a series of objectives to fully protect their rights and interests, information support and promotion of the Russian language. Many of our compatriots, in fact the majority of them, sincerely love their historical homeland, want to maintain contact with it and are ready to do what they can to help it.

This should be met with support from us. I know that Rossotrudnichestvo (Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Cultural Cooperation) is paying a great deal of attention to spreading the Russian language. The number of Russian language courses is growing as well as the number of students but we are not yet satisfied. It is not enough to meet the demand. We should promote its growth and be more aggressive on this issue, realising that the interest in Russian remains very high. Millions of people are studying it to partake of our cultural and scientific achievements, whereas for many others it is also a language of inter-ethnic communication.

Fourth, we must be competitive in the educational market. We must work to get at least five Russian universities on the list of the top hundred universities in the world by 2020 (and we have set this goal) and make education in this country more appealing. We are doing much in this sphere, particularly with regard to our CIS partners. Today about 80,000 young people from the CIS and post-Soviet Baltic states are full-time students at our universities. More than 19,000 of them are receiving an education thanks to federal grants; another 25,000 students study at 35 branches of Russian universities abroad, mostly in the CIS.

That said, international ratings are not yet going our way. I think Russian universities cannot present themselves in the best possible light for a number of reasons, including subjective ones. Rossotrudnichestvo should help them attract foreign students and postgraduates and promote on the international stage educational services in the fields where Russia enjoys well-deserved world recognition. The opening of new, large university centres, such as the one on Russky Island, may facilitate this task.

Russian university graduates will preserve ties with this country for the rest of their lives. Many of them belong to the political and intellectual elites of their respective countries and have a stake in strengthening relations with Russia. I know that the Third World Forum of Foreign Graduates of Russian and Soviet

Universities will be held next November with the active participation of Rossotrudnichestvo.

Fifth, in the global competition for brains, the ability of a country to attract highly qualified specialists, scientists and talented young people plays a very important role. Look at who works in Silicon Valley.

In the number of immigrants, we are only behind the United States, but we are used to considering immigration an urgent domestic issue. Understandably, partly this is due to the quality of migration – primarily low-skilled workers are coming here, who we do need among others. Other people are arriving in other countries and we must try to reverse this trend and make it more attractive to come here. Of course, this is a large-scale task, a task for our state and our entire system. In any event, we must learn to manage immigration competently and effectively.

At its meeting in August, the government discussed a plan of action to implement the concept of a national migration policy. Changes will be made to the legislation on labour migration, procedures for entering and staying on Russian territory; additional preferences have been established for scientists, teachers, entrepreneurs and specialists whose professions are in high demand in the domestic market. We will also introduce a mandatory exam in Russian, Russian history and the foundations of its legislation for some categories of foreigners.

It goes without saying that it is possible to resolve many questions before crossing the border, for instance, receiving information about Russia, undergoing professional retraining and learning the language at least at a basic level. The more that is done on the spot, the fewer problems we’ll have with guest workers. At this point, we are pinning our hopes on Rossotrudnichestvo and its foreign centres, primarily in the CIS. Together with other departments and administrations, the agency should help implement the state programme to facilitate the voluntary relocation of compatriots to Russia.

The decision to move to another country is a serious step for every person and it largely depends on whether the person receives trustworthy, complete and timely information about Russia, first of all, from our foreign offices.

Sixth, there is one more issue that I’d like you to think about – Russia’s image abroad. We must figure out what the problem is. We have talked a lot about this issue, but the problem remains.

The image of any country has an applied value. I’d even say it has a cost estimate. Many projects with Russian participation, even such an important one as Nord Stream, stalled only because the foreign public had misgivings about them. According to experts, Russia has high investment potential that, to our regret, we cannot fully exploit. The flow of foreign investment to this country does not meet this potential, and this is due to the image and reputation losses that we sustain. We shouldn’t simplify the problem – it exists and we are partly to blame.

We must make broader use of Rossotrudnichestvo platforms to present Russia and its regions, use public diplomacy, in part by restoring friendship societies that earned a good reputation, develop humanitarian cross-border cooperation and seek new forms of promoting Russian culture through young talents and modern arts.

Short-term introductory trips to Russia by young people belonging to the intellectual, political, economic and cultural elite are a very promising way to get them interested in Russia. It is essential to place an emphasis on the countries with which Rossotrudnichestvo cooperates – a generation that has grown after the disintegration of the Soviet Union is coming of age in these countries. They are being subjected to strong influences from different forces – both the West and the Muslim world. This is the generation that speaks poor Russian or none at all and the famous maxim that travel eradicates prejudice is 100% true here.

I’d also like to say a few words about Russia’s contribution to world development. I believe that the citizens of countries that receive our assistance must know who is helping them. We are often embarrassed to talk about this, while some of our international partners are tooting their own horns all over the world. It is important for us to decide how to accomplish this. One of the problems here is that this assistance is depersonalised. It is sent through multilateral mechanisms and the origin becomes murky. This may be good for the international mechanisms, but doesn’t help Russia to position itself well.    

Esteemed colleagues, we all want to see Rossotrudnichestvo as a strong and effective albeit flexible foreign policy instrument in our efforts to develop ties with our compatriots and ensure Russian interests through humanitarian efforts. This work requires special coordination and must be based on a common idea.

I’d like to add that everything I’ve mentioned depends on two important things – resources or money, which there is never enough of, and personnel potential. I know that Rossotrudnichestvo has prepared proposals on this score. They are part of a relevant draft concept that embraces the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Development. The government will review them in October. Thank you for your attention.

Konstantin Kosachyov: Thank you, Mr Medvedev. I’m confident your speech will lay the foundation for our work at the highest quality and with the proper focus on the priorities. I was watching the reaction of the audience. I know who is responsible for what area and I instantly noticed the reaction when a particular area received your attention and support. Thank you.

Now let me give the floor to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the head of the ministry to which our agency is directly subordinate.

Sergei Lavrov: Mr Medvedev, Mr Kosachyov, ladies and gentlemen. Mr Medvedev has indeed outlined all areas in which we must act. Rossotrudnichestvo must act more effectively and contribute to the formation of the best possible external conditions for the advancement of our country. This is a top priority, a super-task of our entire foreign policy arm in light of the emergence of a polycentric world order. This is a difficult process, but I won’t dwell on it here – the president gave a detailed analysis at the July 9 meeting of ambassadors and envoys at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

What we consider our practical objectives originated in the May 7 presidential order on measures to implement the foreign policy of the Russian Federation. Both the president and the prime minister have repeatedly emphasised that we should give priority to the CIS space. Mr Medvedev has just spoken about this in detail. I’m convinced that Rossotrudnichestvo must play an important role in these efforts.

In addition to the innovative projects that will be carried out under the relevant intergovernmental programme that was ordered by Rossotrudnichestvo, we are promoting the idea of also giving it authority to facilitate international development. The government has long endorsed such a concept. We have been talking – for several years now – about creating a corresponding mechanism to implement this concept. In practical terms, we need it to demonstrate to the world public the considerable assistance – both free and conditional – that we are rendering to different countries, primarily the CIS, in accordance with international standards and to use it more effectively in our foreign policy efforts. We have submitted a proposal on this matter to the government and hope that the functions of facilitating international development will be transferred to Rossotrudnichestvo, which is now performing them in the CIS. We also hope that, first, these functions are supported by real resources and, second, that other regions that we are assisting will also be assigned in one and the same centre.

Without question, CIS cultural cooperation is one area where the agency is quite effective and it should be even more dynamic, aggressive and proactive. I would like to mention Rossotrudnichestvo’s efforts to enhance the contribution of our CIS partners to the Interstate Foundation for Humanitarian Cooperation and the CIS Council for Humanitarian Cooperation, because not all member states are taking an active enough role in this field yet.

Mr Medvedev mentioned the important area of promoting Russian education abroad. I suggest we consider making Rossotrudnichestvo the monopoly government agency responsible for enrolling foreign students in Russian universities. Naturally, they will be chosen based on recommendations by the relevant agency, mainly the Ministry of Education and Science. With its vast network of overseas offices, Rossotrudnichestvo will be able to cope with the task and select bright and promising students. Russia grants foreign students 10,000 state scholarships a year but I think, especially in view of what Mr Putin and Mr Medvedev said, that we should double that figure to 20,000 and establish admission quotas for ethnic Russians and people from countries friendly to Russia, especially the CIS countries.

We have also spoken about the Russian language today. I think we should actively support Rossotrudnichestvo, as, together with the Ministry of Education and Science, they have been approved as the government contractor of the Russky Mir (Russian World) federal targeted programme for 2011-2015. And now, in accordance with the president’s instruction, a national strategy has been drawn up for supporting the Russian language abroad. The coordination of the draft is nearing completion, and the strategy will be reflected in the relevant section of Russia’s national programme on foreign policy. We support the initiatives of Rossotrudnichestvo to promote the Russian language. Pushkin Day, celebrated in many countries for two years now, is a good example. Rossotrudnichestvo is also doing a great deal for reciprocal Culture Years with other countries.

We expect the active efforts to preserve Russia’s cultural and memorial heritage abroad to continue. Since 2010, Rossotrudnichestvo has been tending graves that are of historical and cultural significance to Russia, in cooperation with Russian embassies, the Foreign Ministry, the Culture Ministry, the Federal Archival Agency, and the Government Commission for the Affairs of Compatriots. It is hard to overestimate the significance of the recently implemented project the Russian Necropolis in Belgrade’s New Cemetery.

There remains a lot still to be done, something which Mr Medvedev spoke about in detail, to make more effective use of the instruments of soft power. The mandate of Rossotrudnichestvo makes it a unique instrument for this vitally important mission. We have formidable resources at our disposal — I mean the network of representative offices abroad, primarily Russian centres of science and culture. They work in close collaboration with friendship societies and associations of ethnic Russians. The protection of Russian compatriots’ legal rights clearly remains the focus for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government Commission for the Affairs of Compatriots. I am sure, however, that it is Rossotrudnichestvo, naturally in coordination with the embassies, that should address the many cultural and humanitarian needs of our compatriots.

To expand the network of Russian science and culture centres is a goal which I support, not of course in terms of quantity but more of quality in all its aspects, from the quality of the programmes to that of the centres themselves. The funding for them is still very poor and this concerns us. As far as we know, up to 80% of overseas Rossotrudnichestvo premises are in need of major repairs. We definitely need to upgrade them and equip them with the necessary modern technology to cope with the ambitious goals the centres have been tasked with. These centres are the main communication channel with the public of their host countries. It is by the look of the centres that visitors judge Russia’s situation and prestige. They must become real centres of attraction for Russian compatriots and people who have friendly feelings towards our country or merely take an interest in it. It is the duty of these centres to become focal points of Russian influence on public opinion abroad, using the tools of soft power.

The board meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs scheduled for October 17 will analyse all aspects of Rossotrudnichestvo’s work, from organisational support to content. We are grateful for what Mr Medvedev has told us: that the government is willing to consider the proposals drawn up on the president’s instruction to strengthen the resource and personnel potential of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Economic Development and Rossotrudnichestvo. Hopefully these proposals will be approved, and I hope that the concept will reflect the full range of tasks that were posed by the prime minister today, and which will be discussed at the meeting, I know. Thank you.

Konstantin Kosachyov: Thank you, Mr Lavrov. Ladies and gentlemen, we have discussed the conducting of this meeting in the presidium and with all due respect to those of our distinguished guests who would like to speak, I will give the floor now to the hosts of the meeting – I mean the representatives who have arranged this meeting. Konstantin Vorobyov, the head of our representative office in Ukraine, will be the first to speak.

Please don’t forget about the five minute time limit.

Konstantin Vorobyov: Mr Medvedev, Mr Lavrov, Mr Kosachyov! Colleagues, Ukraine is not only a strategic partner for Russia. The years, decades and maybe even centuries of bilateral economic relations have made Ukraine our sister country. We share a common history, culture and mentality. We have always prioritised cultural and scientific cooperation with Ukraine, and cultural cooperation is Rossotrudnichestvo’s priority, too. During the four years that we exist, we have tried to keep in mind the experience of our predecessors, first of all, the Union of Soviet Societies for Friendship with Foreign Countries, to overcome a difficult but very interesting development period. But the golden age of the union concurred with the Cold War, with the relaxation of international tensions. The open political confrontation required radically new approaches, including the use of soft power, by which we mean not force or threats, but involvement and a persuasive demonstration of our advantages. During those years, numerous houses of Soviet science and culture opened, and Russian-language courses were organised. We have preserved all that it was our duty to preserve. Now we must enrich it.   

Rossotrudnichestvo is facing a radically new objective now: the world has changed, and new states have emerged in the post-Soviet space. One of them is Ukraine, with which we need to build radically new relations. Where in the CIS countries can we use soft power? From my point of view, an organisation of Russian compatriots could serve as a foundation. Our compatriots in Ukraine, as in most CIS countries, are people who lost their homeland not by their own will, but due to geo-political processes. In addition to being bearers of our cultural heritage, they have the potential to enrich it. We should not forget their role in integration processes, first of all, in the formation of a single labour market.

Since the adoption of the law On State Policy of the Russian Federation on Compatriots Living Abroad, a Ukrainian coordinating council has been established, uniting a large number of various organisations. They successfully preserve Russian ethnic and cultural identity, and defend (or rather fight for) their legitimate rights, first of all, the right to the Russian language. Incidentally, in the past few years, over 80 laws have been adopted in Ukraine, which to one extent or another contradict the Ukrainian Constitution, thus undermining the positions of the Russian language and infringing on the rights of ethnic Russians in Ukraine. We can say that the Russian language issue in Ukraine has in the past few years turned from a policy instrument into an ideology. The recently adopted law on state language policy, judging by the criticism it is facing, will most probably face obstacles in its implementation. Let’s take into account that, according to the latest (and ample) evidence obtained by sociologists, no less than 70% of Ukraine’s population speak Russian both at work and at home. To be honest, compatriots have been saying openly that the Foreign Ministry and other Russian state and public organisations have been providing more effective and tangible support over the past few years. At the same time, we need to considerably expand this support and to work out entirely new mechanisms for its cost-effective application. At any rate, Ukraine has this mechanism and I am confident that other CIS countries have it as well. This is the All-Ukrainian and Crimean Coordination Council of Russian Compatriots, which I have already mentioned . The Council can and must become an influential political and public force all over Ukraine. It is headed by Vadim Kolesnichenko, a Supreme Rada deputy. Mr Kolesnichenko has remarked figuratively that the vehicle proudly called “Compatriots’ Movement in Ukraine” has been created. In effect, the vehicle has all the required components, including wheels, and it has even been fine-tuned to some extent. What they need is a clear timeframe and they must understand the direction they should take. Moreover, the vehicle needs fuel and other resources, which, unfortunately, are in short supply. In fact, 60% of funding being allocated by the Government Commission for the Affairs of Compatriots Abroad is mostly spent on tickets and accommodation for the same persons traveling to the same conferences and round table discussions devoted to the same issues.

In this connection, it would be appropriate to look at how our colleagues from other countries work in Ukraine. Virtually all Western information and cultural centres in Ukraine implement an integral humanitarian policy. Naturally, they try to draw Ukraine into the orbit of the European Union, the United States and their partners. We can see that they are trying to create a new civil society in line with European standards. But many Ukrainians cannot relate to these standards, which causes a certain negative response in Ukrainian society. Large-scale and well-financed projects and programmes are being implemented for this purpose. These projects and programmes stipulate traditional activities, including festivals, contests, competitions and concerts, as well as entirely new things, such as using state-of-the-art technology in the sphere of information exchange, the introduction of on-line education forms at secondary and higher educational institutions. For instance, all Polish non-government organisations operating in Ukraine consider it their duty to coordinate their activities with a joint centre. The Polish Institute, an exact equivalent of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation  and a division of the Polish Foreign Ministry, serves as such a joint centre in Kiev. This institute cooperates effectively with the Sejm and the Senate, as well as with all Polish ministries and departments. They are engaged in extremely serious work and focus on young people, including youth exchanges, student and academic exchanges, the installation of multimedia equipment at schools and universities, as well creating a loyal youth audience, training human resources and future leaders who will prioritise close relations with Poland. I can mention a cultural centre in Vinnitsa, which I have recently visited, by way of example. The centre is located inside a custom-designed building in central Vinnitsa. One of the building’s two entrances leads inside the cultural centre, which has a library, a video facility and auditoriums, including concert and exhibition halls. The second entrance provides access to a Polish health centre with the most modern equipment. It provides free medical check-ups and consultations to all Vinnitsa residents, and not just to ethnic Poles. The 2001 national census shows that less than 1% of the Vinnitsa population are ethnic Poles. And there are many such examples. It should be honestly admitted that we could copy many aspects of our colleagues’ experience. This does not only imply a large amount of funding. Unfortunately, it is sometimes very hard to compare various statistics. The main problem is that our efforts are uncoordinated. We are looking forward to receiving feedback because we believe that Rossotrudnichestvo and its foreign offices are probably best placed to consolidate this highly important soft power component. Our compatriots in CIS countries are people who deserve this. This does not imply compatriots alone but the most wide-ranging aspects of international ties. I believe that we have the necessary potential for this. And it is my opinion that our current meeting will help us clarify  principles and mechanisms for their implementation. Thank you very much for your attention.

Konstantin Kosachyov: Thank you, Mr Vorobyov. Igor Shpynov, Head of Rossotrudnichestvo’s  office in France, now has the floor. Unfortunately, I have to remind you about the time limit.

Igor Shpynov: Mr Medvedev, Mr Lavrov, Mr Medinsky, Mr Shvydkoi, Mr Kosachyov, colleagues and friends.
Rossotrudnichestvo has reached an entirely new stage of development. This is vitally important because President Putin has set the task of invigorating the soft power policy. This task directly concerns our agency. As I see it, the essence of the current situation is that Rossotrudnichestvo and its foreign offices are ready to accomplish a great deal. They can do this, and they can become a unique instrument in promoting Russia’s positive image around the world.

We have already held a number of roadshows. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Svetlana Medvedev for her participation in the Year of Russia in France in 2010. At the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Paris, speaking brilliant French, she unveiled an exhibition of young artists from 80 Russian regions. That event and some other projects set the pattern for new friendly traditions which were then copied during the years of Italy, Spain and Germany. I would like to make a special mention of the Forum of Rectors of the Humanities Universities of Russia and France. Mr Pivovar, Rector of the Russian State Humanities University,  is present here. This project is continuing and is an important platform for dialogue. 

Mr Medvedev has highlighted our foreign rivals in the humanities. Despite the crisis, our foreign colleagues are maintaining investment volumes in the humanities, which the investment by Rossotrudnichestvo does not match: The Goethe Institute, for example, has 159 representative offices in 92 countries and a budget of 300 million euros. The contribution of Alliance Francaise in French language courses is 200 million euros in direct funding. The Alliance is backed by a second-echelon agency – Campus France, which promotes French education abroad (with 174 representative offices in 107 countries and 6 big cities in Russia). In France, they say: “Culture multiplies the weight of any country in the world many times over,” and it is now a household phrase there. We, too, have a similar potential. 

The Russophone movement, or what Mr Medvedev described as a global Russian world, is a strategic and worldwide reserve, a soft power for Russia. A total of 300 million people in the world speak Russian. France has the Union of French Russophones, uniting 50 modern humanities associations. But there is no umbrella international organisation. The French experience shows how important it is to have such a framework. Rossotrudnichestvo, with its calling and status, could become a driving force for launching such an efficient resource. The example of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture shows that the centre could be multifunctional. To all practical intents and purposes, we have an institute of the Russian language in Paris – with 1,500 students and a highly-trained staff of instructors. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of our representative office – Olga Sekletova, Vyacheslav and Yevgeny Shabelnikov, and Inna Merkulova – for their contribution to achieving such a fine result.

But it is high time (I would like to make particular mention of this) that the brand of the Pushkin Institute be restored to institutes and Russian language courses abroad. It is a very weighty brand and it will work. We need our own modern mechanism for teaching Russian as a foreign language. In the opinion of the experts, Russia is among the countries that are attractive to young people, we can sense this. But understanding is hard to come by: there is no information, and some of the communication is negative. Somehow we are trying to plug the gaps – we have published two books in French. But that is just a drop in the ocean. They could become our leading partners in Europe, and we are working towards that goal. Large research and education hubs, universities and engineering institutes are looking forward to Russian language teachers being sent to them.

We would also like the Agency to oversee partnerships in research and education within the framework of its efforts to coordinate cooperation between universities. Of course, it might make sense to consider whether it’s worth giving the Agency, which appears to have a bright future as a government body in Russia, the authority to coordinate all Russian funds and establishments that use government assistance in teaching Russian abroad. Thank you.

Konstantin Kosachev: Thank you, Mr Shpynov. We will now listen to one more short report, by Mr Zaitsev, head of the Russian Cultural Centre in the United States. Please remember that we have a time limit. Thank you.

Yury Zaitsev: Thank you. Dear friends, I’d like to begin by expressing my gratitude to the country, to President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. We are grateful for your support to the Rossotrudnichestvo offices abroad. We work a long way away from Moscow, yet we feel confident because we can rely on the tremendous support and potential of our homeland, which allow us to work with confidence and in the way that we would like to.

Unfortunately, I have little time and so I will focus on only two of the most pressing and topical issues of the work of our Cultural Centre in the United States: the situation regarding youth policy and problems, or rather issues, connected with the Russian language. I will begin with the Russian language, which is a topical issue. Many instructions have been issued today, which we will of course implement, including within the framework of Rossotrudnichestvo’s work; I think that we can achieve these goals. There is a peculiar attitude to Russia in the United States; it is not the warmest these days, not like it was a decade ago, but the efforts of the Russian diplomatic corps in the United States and the Russian missions abroad are helping us to revive interest in Russia. Our compatriots are helping us in this; they come to the Russian Cultural Centre to offer their services, and their energy, but the most important thing is their willingness to help. In short, in addition to the Russian language courses we offer in the centre, we also have methodology seminars for training Russian language teachers jointly with Russian establishments such as the St Petersburg State University and the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. Believe me, there are a lot of people in the United States who speak Russian and the training of teachers, including by us, leads to a multiplier effect, which is extremely important.

The second aspect I’d like to focus on is that a new generation has grown up in the United States, just like everywhere else. They have a great deal of information at their disposal yet they are hungry for more, they want to know more. Over the past 20 years, a period that embraced perestroika, glasnost and many other events, many Russian citizens have visited the United States and many Americans have travelled to Russia. A new generation has grown up without stereotypes and they want to have information about Russia. They are interested in understanding and knowing Russia better – they want to know Russia. We quickly organised trips to Moscow and St Petersburg for 70 young political leaders, businesspeople and journalists. The effect in the United States was enormous. These young people have created a website for communicating with each other and are also engaged in their own advocacy efforts, in other words, they are helping us. In some cases, NGOs called Russian cultural societies have been established in some cities. For example, a Russian flag is flying over the Russian Cultural Centre created by Americans in Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee, the birthplace of jazz.

And just a few words about our compatriots. As I have said, we are proud of our homeland. I have also said that those people who, for various reasons, have ended up living in the United States, have similar feelings towards Russia. Here is an amusing story to finish off my speech. During an event in New York, journalists asked a war veteran who watched the parade in Red Square to celebrate the 65^th anniversary of victory in WWII a tricky question: “What did you, as someone who fled from the harsh Soviet regime to the United States, feel when you saw the tanks rolling across Red Square and combat aircraft flying above?” Do you know what he replied? He said: “I felt proud of my homeland.” This is what I wanted to say in conclusion, because we really do feel proud of our homeland. Thank you.

Konstantin Kosachev: Thank you, Mr Zaitsev, colleagues. Mr Medvedev, I think there are certain...

Dmitry Medvedev: Everything is correct and coherent, in my opinion. I would like to say just a few more words. First of all, I want us all to act quickly and coherently, and here I’m referring not only to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Rossotrudnichestvo, but to everybody who considers themselves to be a part of Russia, who is not ashamed of it and who understands the challenges we face.

Secondly, I would like to say, that there will always be sad statistics about the power we still have and the power we have lost. I have already given some numbers and we have seen different pictures: parity in missiles and disparity in soft power. But I think that we should abstain from copying China or the U.S.A., since we will not be surpassing China in terms of population any time soon, nor are we likely to be able to match the Americans in financial terms in the immediate future. We need to act differently in this situation. We might do better to compare ourselves with the example of France and Germany, because their influence on world politics and their use of soft power considerably exceed their economic potential. If we are able to create a similar model in the next few years, and I hope that in 20 or 30 years we will be a member of the right club, where we must be present, then we will be able to retain the influence that the Soviet Union used to have, regardless of the issues associated with its existence.

Thirdly, you could say this is my favourite topic, but I would like to say a few words about information resources. I have already mentioned this. We need to make more extensive use of the new information resources. Regardless of the threats, websites, social networks and all the capabilities of the new information and communication resources have to be exploited, for everyone’s benefit. We can hope of course, that the older generation will keep on using the traditional means, but if we want to reach out to young people we have to be like them. I think that we should take advantage of everything that is used now. I don't mean that we should do away with books, of course we should continue publishing beautiful paper books.

I was not going to speak about China, but I will say just this – the last time I went there, for an exhibition, or something else, I can't even remember now, there is always such a lot going on, they showed me some bookstands entitled “Literature in Russian”. It was amazing! Even taking into consideration the fact that this is China, that the population is huge and that they currently have more money than we do, regardless of all this, it was just amazing! This is not even about money, this is about caring, caring about the topic, having the desire to feel what Russia is really like and use its cultural heritage. This is what we need to learn.

Thank you.

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