The idea of holding the country's first youth forum emerged two years ago when plans for organising solemn events on Pridnestrovie's 25th anniversary were being elaborated, said in an interview with journalists the deputy education minister, Svetlana Turchak, who is also a member of the organising committee.
Novosti Pridnestrovya has already reported that the Dnestrovskie Zori health complex, which hosts the forum, will receive about 150 guests. Pridnestrovians are represented by delegations from all the districts of Pridnestrovie and an individual delegation of PSU students. Russian guests — Voronezh State University students and representatives from Moscow's International Youth Centre — also take part in the forum.
The schedule, worked out by the organising committee, is very rich and diverse. According to participants, they are, first of all, attracted by the opportunity to communicate with guest lecturers, many of whom are notable statespersons.
«As ministers and deputy ministers are invited here, I expect they will share their knowledge and actual information on Pridnestrovie with us," said member of the Slobodzeya district delegation Oleg Chernov about his expectations from the forum.
Many high-ranking officials of the country were present at the opening ceremony. Among them are the Prime Minister, Tatyana Turanskaya, the education minister, Tatyana Tsivinskaya, the adviser to the Supreme Council chairman, Valeriy Yunevich, representatives of ministries and agencies.
«The forum's name '25 Years with Russia' reflects Pridnestrovie's national idea and national priorities — this is, first of all, to preserve unity with the Russian world. Today, as well as throughout it entire history, our country preserves the Russian vector of development in political, social. cultural, educational and many other spheres," said Tatyana Turanskaya at the opening ceremony.
Besides the dialogue with Pridnestrovie's officials, many Pridnestrovians hope to talk closely with Russian guests. The Russians themselves pay attention to a high level of patriotism of Pridnestrovian citizens, patriotism toward both the PMR and Russia. «We are very pleased to see Pridnestrovians' attitude to Russia, their incredible patriotism Russian citizens, I think, should adopt," said member of the VSU delegation Yulia Parinova.
The organisers hope such events will contribute to the creation of Pridnestrovie's positive image in the international arena. «Such forums are held in Pridnestrovie to show the world the integrity of our people, our foreign policy vector, to provide objective first hand information on current events in Pridnestrovie," said foreign minister's adviser Vera Tabak.
«I am sure the young people who have come from Voronezh and Moscow will be able to see today and within three days how the country lives and works," she added.
Apart from meeting experts and Pridnestrovie's officials, the forum delegates will take part in a tour of Pridnestrovie's military glory memorials and Orthodox churches, in the round table talk «We Are United», in various sport events.
On the closing day the forum participants will compile a collective appeal to Russia's president, Vladimir Putin.
