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Inna Sinyagina: "The strategy of "soft power" is the basis of regional foreign policy

21.09.2022

The Vologda Region is changing the orientation of commercial interests from the West towards Asia. The “soft power” strategy used in Russia helps, on the one hand, to establish new ties with new partners, and on the other hand, not to completely burn the old bridges and to maintain cultural ties and good relations which Europe also needs. Inna Sinyagina, the head of the Governor’s Administrative Office is sure of it.

"WE ARE OPEN"

- Inna Mikhailovna, you coordinate the work of the Department of Foreign Relations in the local government. Taking into account the harsh economic sanctions against Russia, what do international contacts look like today?

- Unfortunately, some foreign partners (countries of Western Europe and the USA) with whom we have been maintaining friendly relationships for a long time stopped working with us. Russia’s reorientation to Asia implies comprehensive strategic cooperation with the CIS countries, India and China. Now we are looking forward to collaboration with Asia and countries of Latin America. Of course, in addition to cultural ties, it is necessary to look for mutually beneficial partnership in the economic sector. We are open for cooperation.  

-  Does culture drag on economy or vice versa?

- With some partners, the locomotive is the cultural code, with others - the economic benefit. However, we must understand that our task is to promote the Russian culture and the tourist potential of the Vologda Region. There are countries with which economic cooperation has been established, but there is no cultural exchange. China, for example. It seems to me that there is a very high potential in the development of mutual cultural ties between China and the Vologda Region. And by combining the economy with the cultural exchange, we will get a synergetic effect. Another example is Kazakhstan with which we maintain cultural cooperation, but have not reached an economic partnership yet.  But, as a rule, it is cultural exchange that promotes business contacts. A vivid example of close economic and cultural cooperation with the Vologda Region is the Republic of Belarus.

PRESIDENT’S GUIDELINES

- It's probably not by chance that we talk about culture so much. In September Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the Concept of the Russian humanitarian policy abroad. It has many goals and objectives, but there are two fundamental positions. First, we consolidate our spiritual and moral values.  And second, we must tell the whole world about these values and about our rich Russian culture. The Vologda Region is often called the most Russian region, it is the cultural capital of the Russian North. Can our region help in the implementation of this concept?

- The Vologda Oblast is a unique region, 98% of the residents living in the Vologda Region consider themselves Russian. We have preserved many traditions and monuments of cultural heritage which we are proud of. Therefore, the Vologda Region should become one of the platforms for the implementation of the humanitarian policy of the Russian Federation abroad. Our region has been promoting its history, culture and brands abroad for many years. Many foreign countries cooperate with us. Both foreign guests and diplomats who are interested in our cultural, tourist and economic opportunities come to Vologda Region with pleasure. The Vologda Region promotes the Russian culture and Russian identity in the international arena.

- The foreign agenda is set by the Russian President and the Russian Foreign Ministry. How do Russian regions influence international relations?

- I would like to highlight several key positions here. Of course, we do not make any foreign policy statements. This is the exclusive prerogative of the President of Russia and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. There is the Council of Heads of Subjects of the Russian Federation under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Vologda Region Governor Oleg Kuvshinnikov is a member of it. The Council headed by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov includes about 10 heads of the regions. Together they discuss the foreign policy agenda and develop guidelines for economic and cultural cooperation.

In general, we try to adhere to the principles of the so-called “soft power”. When we present our culture abroad - Vologda lace, handicrafts, folk groups, tourist brands (the residence of Ded Moroz, the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery and many others),  we promote the Russian culture. Despite any sanctions, it is highly appreciated all over the world.

A GOOD SIGN

- Is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also interested in promoting the regions?

- Yes, of course. Moreover, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers its own platform for the presentation of regions. In June 2022 we held a presentation of our region at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow. It was very exciting both for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and for us. It is important for us to say that Russia is open to mutually beneficial partnership. The Foreign Ministry has outlined its position: we invite all ambassadors, including European ones.  And I’d like to note that the presentation of the Vologda Region was attended by representatives of 35 foreign countries, 72 diplomats, 33 Ambassadors Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary among them. Representatives of Western and Eastern Europe also took part in the event. This is a good sign. Russia’s economy and tourism potential is interesting for foreign community.

- What is the practical benefit for the region in holding such events?

- We invited representatives of our leading enterprises, and within the framework of the presentation more than 50 business meetings and negotiations were held. As a rule, such events give a new impetus to joint international projects.

- Do you monitor the effectiveness of these contacts?

- Yes, of course. Not all agreements turn into projects. But we continue to assist our enterprises in concluding agreements, organization of meetings and trips abroad or to our region. For example, now we are planning to visit several countries within the framework of the project "New Year's Journey of Ded Moroz". And a number of such meetings are based on previous agreements.

- In your opinion, are the business circles ready for it? I am not talking about large companies; they have been integrated into the international economy for many years. I'm talking about medium-sized businesses.

- There are a number of entrepreneurs who are not afraid to enter new markets. For example our food industry companies are very active in this sphere. If the price -quality ratio is competitive, then a company is ready to discover new sales opportunities.

And in general, you know, any crisis boosts development. The Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation holds numerous forums and gives an opportunity for our enterprises to show their products and set up partnerships. This is not an easy process. The Government of the Russian Federation and the Vologda Region Government help business circles to establish new and expand already existing contacts.

VOLOGDA REGION IS UNIQUE

- Russia is a huge country. What are Vologda’s specialities? Our region is famous for lace, Tula is so well known for samovars. There are folk groups in every Russian region. Is there anything special about the Vologda Region that will draw foreign tourists and partners?

- The Vologda Region is associated with Vologda butter and environmentally friendly food products. Moreover, Vologda attracts tourists as a center for lace-making - Vologda lace is the pride of the region. There are over 3,500 objects of cultural heritage in our region. Here one can step back in time where many Russian buildings and monuments are preserved in their original appearance. They are a magnet for foreign partners. Kirillov, Ferapontovo, Belozersk, Veliky Ustyug and Totma are unique historical and cultural heritage of our region.

Of course, there are also new projects - Ded Moroz, a brand that is well-known not only in Russia, but also abroad. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov supported the international “Ded Moroz New Year journey”. This year the Russian magician is to visit Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Alchevsk of the Luhansk People’s Republic. The project will be supported by RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Another new project is a festival "Russian Hunting" which was held in September at the Museum of Architecture and Ethnography Semyonkovo.

- What are your prospects for Russia's foreign policy development in the near furure?

- The Russian Federation is a great power. It is a self-sufficient sustainable system in terms of statehood and civilization.  There is the concept of Russkiy mir - a Russian world. I think that it is unlikely that anything will change in the near future. This fact was one of the reasons for approval of Concept for Russia's Humanitarian Policy. We know that Europe and the USA introduce bans on everything that has to do with Russia and Russian culture. They do not hold Russian exhibitions and Russian classical music performances by such Russian composers  as Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich. In this situation, it is very important to convey our values, our culture and continue cooperation. It is impossible to isolate Russia. Today we take a clear position - we remain open to the whole world. We do not impose bans on foreign citizens, we do not prohibit the European cinema and we do not reject traditional European culture. It is important to maintain this balance in order to build new, more constructive relations based on cultural ties. We are ready for a multipolar world, a world that will not dictate to us its values alien to the Russian people.