(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The first conference of Organisation of Russian Compatriots in Qatar yesterday at Diplomatic Club witnessed the official start of activities of its newly-established Coordinating Council.
"The council was formed last March and registered with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in April. The conference marks the start of its official work," Marina Loktyukhova, Chairwoman of the council, told this daily.
"Today we are highlighting activities we are doing on volunteer basis and our plan for 2015," she said, adding cultural and social activities during holidays are among the programmes for next year.
"It would be great to gather the whole community during celebrations such as the New Year and Easter. Volunteers were already doing spectacular performances but this time we would do in a bigger scale, maybe, by bringing in performers," she said.
Exhibitions commemorating historical events or particular aspects of culture are also planned.
"The council is trying its best to provide help and assistance to the Russians in Qatar in many ways like education for children and providing information and helping newcomers adapt to their new environment," she said.
Among the priorities are education and culture, specifically working towards the establishment of a Russian Cultural Centre here.
"We are in the process but everyone is looking forward to having the centre because it would become the base for meetings, cultural events and educational initiatives. Negotiations have been continuing since July and well received by Qatari authorities. There are some formalities to be completed and hopefully we would receive approval it very soon," she said.
Once opened, the centre will cater to around 2,500 Russians and 7,000 Russian-speaking people in the country.
Alexey Kocheshkov, Second Secretary, the Russian embassy, said it is a vital part of a special programme of Russia to support the cultural and social life of Russian-speaking communities overseas.
"We are not only focused on Russians but those who speak Russian; those who have been living in the former Soviet Union; everyone who loves Russia and interested in Russian culture, life and community affairs and those whose lives are very much connected to the Russian community in Doha," he said.
He said Russian citizens and Russian-speaking people are contributing to various sectors of Qatar.
"They are sportsmen, entrepreneurs and commercial experts while others are involved in oil and gas, education and culture. Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, for example, has dozens of Russian-speaking musicians," he said.
On bilateral relations, he said, "We are opening a new chapter. Last year, we celebrated the 25th year anniversary of relations between Russia and Qatar. We have had strategic dialogue on political matters and economic cooperation. Last May, an investment agreement worth $2b was signed between both countries to facilitate investment projects in Russia. Hopefully, next year we will witness the signing of very fruitful agreements, especially in the cultural, political and economic fields."
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