On December 2, 2009, in the Column Hall of the House of Unions in Moscow, a ceremony was held to award compatriots living abroad who make a significant contribution to supporting Russia, developing ties with their historical Motherland, and preserving the Russian language and Russian culture.
This year, Sergey Anatolyevich Tokarev, Director of the Russian Emirates Publishing House, was presented for the award in the Media category. The honorary badge of the compatriot was awarded by Grigory Karasin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, on the basis of the decision of the Government Commission on the Affairs of Compatriots Abroad No. 3 (41) of October 12, 2009. Presenting the award, he noted that Sergey Tokarev is not only well known for his publishing activities, but also for creating an information site for Russian compatriots living in Africa and the Persian Gulf - www.RussianCompatriots.com.
As Sergey Tokarev said, addressing the delegates of the Congress, “On the one hand, I am sincerely glad that my modest achievements have been noticed. Today's award is very exciting. I thank you, dear compatriots, and the government of the Russian Federation for giving such "On the other hand, I sincerely believe that my contribution is modest and insufficient. I regard your recognition as an advance and I will definitely continue to do everything in my power to consolidate compatriots and protect their legitimate rights and interests."
Winners in 7 nominations are annually awarded with an honorary badge of a compatriot - social activities, the Russian language, culture, charity, sports, the media, and youth work. Recall that the III World Congress of Compatriots was held from December 1 to 2, 2009 in Moscow. The Congress discussed issues related to the support of the Russian language, Russian culture, education abroad, Russian-language media, as well as legal assistance to compatriots. The work was carried out in several thematic sections, the result of which became recommendations addressed to the legislative and executive authorities of the Russian Federation.
Speaking with a welcoming speech to the delegates of the Congress, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev addressed the issue of creating a Fund to support and protect the rights of compatriots living abroad. “You have no doubt, I will give relevant instructions to the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture, all other departments that are related to our topic, as well as, if necessary, other structures, in order to fulfill your proposals, of course, within our current capabilities. " The president promised that the support of compatriots will continue to be one of the important directions of state policy. Dmitry Medvedev said that amendments to the legislation on working with immigrants from Russia have already been prepared, in particular, the very concept of "compatriots abroad" will be clarified.
Chairman of the Federation Council Sergey Mironov, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin, Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev, director of the board of the Russkiy Mir Foundation, Vyacheslav Nikonov, and other prominent political and public speakers also spoke at the Congress figures, as well as representatives of organizations of Russian compatriots from around the world.
