Tiraspol, 20 November. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. In early November the 5th International Congress of Russian Compatriots residing abroad took place in Moscow. The anniversary congress, organised in the year of the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory, gathered over 400 delegates from 97 countries, including Pridnestrovie.
As was noted by the head of Pridnestrovie's Union of Russian Communities, Viorika Kokhtareva, in an interview with Novosti Pridnestrovya, the Congress is an opportunity to meet one more time, talk, exchange experience, ask stirring questions. This is an opportunity «to say personal 'thank you'.»
«They ask how we are getting on. When I said we have 120 Russian language schools, employ Russian educational standards and Russian textbooks, it struck a deep chord with the audience. We shared our experience because in other countries the situation is different. Russian compatriots really live as diaspora there," said Viorika Kokhtareva.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, took the floor at a plenary session and thanked compatriots for keeping deep inner bonds with their historical homeland, for being proud of its culture and traditions, for sympathising with its current concerns.
The president specially thanked the compatriots who helped prepare and organise the events dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory, who honoured veterans residing abroad and participated in Immortal Regiment and St George Ribbon events. The memory of heroes was revered in many countries, including Pridnestrovie.
The Russian president underscored that «the comprehensive support of compatriots has been and remains a priority, a field for joint efforts by the government and public organisations.»
On the second day of the congress thematic sections began to work. The participants were able to choose one of five sections.
«The section «Work and cooperation with regional authorities' is what directly concerns us. We have long been cooperating with Moscow's government. Moscow is a leader in cooperation with compatriots. No other region has launched such unprecedented projects and provided such volumes of assistance. However, other Russian cities also try to get involved in working with compatriots," noted Viorika Kokhtareva.
