Nadezhda Osipova, an adviser on national issues of the Government of Samara Region, Russia, stated in an exclusive interview with Trend Special Correspondent, it is too early to confirm the clash in Samara as an inter-ethnic incident.
She expressed her deep condolences to the Azerbaijani Diaspora of Russia, and commented on the sad loss of life of an Azerbaijani citizen who was due to receive his Russian nationality on that day. Osipva regretted that some agitators, including journalists, described this incident as a nationality conflict.
He thanked the Azerbaijan Diaspora who immediately responded with a statement on the criminality of the incident, which is under investigation.
When I arrived at the scene I witnessed the suffered Tajiks as well. The offenders must be punished, but we do not segregate by nationality. Osipova underlined.
The government official of the Samara region stated that there were representatives of 135 nationalities and ethnic groups residing in the Samara region. According to data from 2002, Azerbaijani citizens who are officially registered total 16,000, while together with the unregistered they total over 40,000. The Azerbaijani Diaspora has been functioning in Samara for over 3 years and it is a very strong organization which represents the national culture and nation.
Osipova is sure that the Azerbaijani Diaspora working professionally is the primary link between the authorities and the community. She also stressed that the Azerbaijani Diaspora has great qualities in the resolution of a conflict in Sukhiye Avrali village with the population of 12% of Azerbaijanis, who are from the Gardabani Region of Georgia. Reports on the conflict even reached the Council of Europe. Now many Azerbaijanis reside in this area and they rear 30-40 cattle and we are very grateful them for this respect.
Osipova regretted certain media reports, which use provocative language such as occupied our job places'. She stressed that there was jobs and land available for everyone, as 50% of land in the Samara Region is not cultivated. Azerbaijanis successfully assimilate this land and develop cattle breeding.
In addition, Osipova stressed the many charity events, concerts publication of magazines and newspapers which is organized by the Azerbaijani Diaspora.