Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to participants and guests of the 2nd Assembly of the Russian World
The message said, in part:
"I congratulate you on the opening of this Assembly. It is being held here in Moscow for the second time, on the eve of National Unity Day, and has gathered numerous participants and guests from many countries.
"The sponsor of the forum is the Russian World Fund. It was set up to address the pressing tasks of preserving, studying and developing the Russian language as a universal tool of international communication, of popularising our national culture and its lofty and everlasting values of supporting the most important cultural initiatives.
"Within a relatively short period of time, the Fund has been able to make friends and partners in the most diverse parts of the world. It has joined people who share a common interest in the history and the modern life of Russia, its cultural and spiritual heritage. Many are guests today here at the forum. I thank you for your noble and selfless efforts, for your great contribution to the dissemination of the Russian language and culture in the world.
"The projects implemented by the Fund have contributed to this in no small degree. Among them are the opening of Russian centres abroad, the writing of teaching aids and university textbooks for Russian, and grants for educational and training programmes.
"I am sure that the present Assembly will help to strengthen the common space of the Russian World. That it will open new and promising avenues of endeavour and strengthen international cooperation, friendly ties and contacts.
"I wish you every success and all the best."
