Friendship society created to promote Russia abroad

A non-commercial organization Society of Cultural Relations and Friendship with Peoples from Foreign Countries (VOKS) has been created in Russia, said Culture Minister Mikhail Shvydkoi. He said that the founding members of the organization are the Society for Solidarity and Cooperation with Peoples of Asia and Africa, Moscow Kremlin Museum, Bolshoi Theatre, Russian Museum and Russian State Library.

The organization's mission is to improve Russia's image abroad. In connection with this, VOKS plans to not only participate in scientific, economic, cultural, information and humanitarian contacts, but to create them, said Shvydkoi. With this goal in mind, VOKS will establish contacts with government and non-government organizations in foreign countries. The most important activity of the organization will be to distribute complete information about Russia, its history, domestic and foreign policies, said Shvydkoi. Moreover, VOKS plans to organize information support for foreign policy initiatives of the Russian leadership and conduct its own actions as part of the country's social diplomacy, said Shvydkoi.