1,000 people from non-CIS states emigrate to Russia within year

NEW YORK, June 21 (Itar-Tass) - One thousand people have emigrated to Russia from non-CIS states in the past 12 months, and this "reverse migration" will be gaining momentum, director of the Russian Foreign ministry's department for work with compatriots Alexander Chepurin told reporters on Saturday.

Chepurin is taking part in the 2nd form of Russian compatriots in New
York.

"If Russia gets stronger, the interest in the study of the Russian
language and developing relations with the Russian Federation will be
growing," the diplomat noted.

When a country shows high economic growth rates and a high level of
welfare, the diaspora consolidates aboard; "mutual understanding between
compatriots abroad grows and the basis of mutual interests expands,"
Chepurin said.

He acknowledged that 90 percent of funds allocated for work with
compatriots go to former Soviet republics.
"It's used to support schools, teach Russian, preserve monuments and
provide legal protection of ethnic Russians," the official said.

"Considerable allocations are envisioned for the program to relocate
specialists and scientists wishing to return to Russia." Russia envisions
expenditure for such persons and members of their families covering the
cost of the procedure to receive Russian citizenship, their moving to
Russia, and allowances for them in the period of unemployment before
getting a job at the new place, he said.