Work to support Russian language in CIS countries to continue - Russian PM

BAKU. March 6 (Interfax) - Efforts to support the Russian language across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will continue, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said.

"As for the attitude to the Russian language, [Russian President] Vladimir Putin said just recently in the address [to the Federal Assembly] that it is necessary to expand support for the Russian language, and do so, first and foremost, across the CIS territory, where the Russian language is a means of interethnic communication. It is through the Russian language that Russian culture, traditions reach other countries, and we will certainly continue systemic work related to support for the Russian language," Mishustin said during a visit to Baku's Azerbaijan State Academic Russian Drama Theater, where he met with female representatives of civic movements in the run-up to International Women's Day on March 8.

"Language is an element of culture, and work to safeguard it certainly helps bolster our common humanitarian, historical and cultural space," he said.

Mishustin thanked Azerbaijan's leadership and citizens for supporting the Russian language.

"We always say that we are grateful both to [Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev and all people here who treat the Russian language with great care," he said.

Azerbaijan has a large number of schools where lessons are conducted in Russian, Mishustin said. Further, the Center for Open Education has started working in Azerbaijan.

"I know that this center is highly relevant. More than 400 students have been trained at it," he said.

"Of course, we will continue to support efforts to promote the Russian language," Mishustin said.