Northern Caucasus focuses on stability and consolidation

Makhachkala, February 7, 2017. Despite the multi-vector development and different interests of the North Caucasian republics, today, they all focus the stabilization and consolidation of residents in terms of inter-ethnic relations, the member of the International Relations Council under the Russian President, the deputy director of the Institute for Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Zorin is quoted saying.

"The leaders capable to express the interests common to all the Russians have appeared in the North Caucasian region. The participation of Chechens and Dagestanis together with the Russians and other nationalities in the peacemaking process in the Syrian conflict is a very important factor.

There are new aspects in the fight against international terrorism sneaking up on the North Caucasus; to enhance the interaction with the civil society, so that to give an asymmetric response to the threat of terrorism. We conduct not only special operations, but also solve a whole range of humanitarian issues of great importance"- Zorin pointed out.

In particular, Zorin has highly appreciated the work of the Head of Dagestan Ramazan Abdulatipov. "The data of objective analysis and monitoring display that the policy pursued by Abdulatipov is constructive. The republic shows a positive tendency towards steady development, which, of course, irritates the critics who are not able to give the main direction nowadays".

The Northern Caucasus, as well as other regions of Russia, has to respond both internal and external challenges related to the security and interethnic unity issues. "The complex economic situation, social inequality, the corruption, the continuous attempts to politicize the inter-ethnic relations and migration policy and the non-systemic opposition, which is trying to ride the immigration and national issues are considered as the main internal challenges.  In some cases, the problems merge closely with the nationalists. This is a very alarming symptom that requires serious consideration" - Zorin warned.

The key external threat, in Zorin’s opinion, is the promotion of right-wing ideology in the West. "The Europe has gone rightwards and starts practicing the policy processes in respect of Russia.

Trump’s factor may render a serious influence on the European countries and set new standards of migration policy in relation to its allies. The general rhetoric that now reigns in the world, goes into the hands of radical elements in our country and the people who are determined to criticize and change in the balance of international relations " - Vladimir Zorin concluded.