On the Closure of the Vladikavkaz Branch Office of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the Russian Federation

PRESS RELEASE

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on June 30 closed its branch office in Vladikavkaz, which operated under the relevant agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and UNHCR, of 10 February 2003.

UNHCR started its activities in several North Caucasus republics in the mid-1990s with the participation in international humanitarian efforts under UN auspices. Subsequently, it continued to assist the Russian authorities in providing proper conditions for the accommodation in this region of those people who for various reasons were forced to leave their native places.

To date, the urgency and scale of these problems are substantially reduced; there has been significant progress in addressing them. The implementation of the programs for socio-economic development of the North Caucasus Federal District, adopted by the Russian leadership, is intended to further improve the humanitarian situation. Thus, the tasks tackled by UNHCR in the North Caucasus are largely completed.

In the forthcoming period, the Office will focus on issues directly related to its mandate. The Russian Federation expects to maintain a dialogue with UNHCR on general problems of refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons. In addition, we are focused on more in-depth cooperation on global issues, where Russia acts as a donor and an equal partner.

We express our deep appreciation to all UNHCR staff for their many years of work in the interests of Russian citizens, in support of the activities of the bodies of power of the Russian Federation, public and non-governmental organizations to stabilize the situation and tackle humanitarian problems in the North Caucasus region.

July 5, 2011