Bishop Feofan of Stavropol and Vladikavkaz calls to pay more attention to the North Caucasus

Public Chamber’s Commission for Tolerance and Freedom of Conscience discussed a draft concept of the Federal Programme ‘Ethnic and cultural development of Russian regions for 2007-2010 and till 2015’ elaborated by the Russian Ministry of Regional Development.

Bishop Feofan of Stavropol and Vladikavkaz, a member of the Public Chamber, noted that the document lacked attention to the problems of compatriots living outside of Russia. ‘Our former compatriots have found themselves abroad because of political changes. We should not only talk about their protection; we must do anything possible to help them return to their historical Motherland – Russia, if they so wish. This help is a part of national policy and protection of national interests of the Russian Federation’, he said.

Bishop of Stavropol and Vladikavkaz made a point of revising certain sections of concept dealing with the North Caucasus. ‘Russian-speaking people are leaving the region. The problems arise when the population becomes homogenous’, Bishop Feofan underscored.