On March 11, Moscow hosted the first Ministerial Conference of the International Organisation for the Russian Language (IORL), established under the relevant Agreement signed by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The conference was opened by Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to participants in the Ministerial Conference, whose attendants included heads of educational and foreign policy agencies of the member states.
The participants signed documents required for the IORL to start its operations and establish its Secretariat, and elected its Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General. Participants held an in-depth exchange of views on issues related to the organisation’s activities and promising focus areas.
Greetings from President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to the participants of the first Ministerial Conference of the International Organisation for the Russian Language
Dear friends,
Please accept my heartfelt greetings on the opening of the first Ministerial Conference of the International Organisation for the Russian Language.
Your conference marks the beginning of practical work by that intergovernmental organisation established at the initiative of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, which we have supported together with our colleagues from Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The Russian language is an integral part of our common heritage. It is not only an official language of the UN system and a number of multilateral regional organisations, but also an invaluable means of interethnic communication in Eurasia. Knowledge of Russian offers access to the outstanding achievements of global culture and knowledge, as well as additional opportunities for developing mutually beneficial contacts in the economy, the humanitarian sphere and many other areas.
It is especially important that cooperation aimed at strengthening the international positions of the Russian language is always based on the principles of mutual respect and genuine neighbourliness. Such joint work undeniably meets the fundamental interests of our friendly nations, which share a common history and cultural and spiritual values.
The agenda of this conference provides for adopting several documents regulating various aspects of the operation of the International Organisation for the Russian Language, and for mapping out practical steps to fulfil the ambitious tasks facing this new organisation. I wish you success, and all the best.