PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN: Good afternoon, colleagues.

I would like to suggest that the Council meeting today focuses on culture and education and the special role they play in harmonising interethnic relations and in the civic and patriotic education of young people.

Currently over 30.5 million Russians are aged 15 to 29. As we all understand, their views largely determine the future of Russia.

It is important for young people to fully understand the significance of the ethnic policy and ethnic and cultural diversity. This diversity lies at the roots of this country’s strength as it accumulated various traditions, cultures and ethnic groups over the centuries. This mutual enrichment helped this huge country develop and strengthen its identity. Whenever this harmony was violated, the inner strength of the nation itself was also violated. This raises the demands to our ethnic, cultural and educational policy. It is obvious that an educated person with sufficient knowledge and a broad outlook is immune to the virus of nationalism and intolerance.