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The participation of some Russian diplomats in the Fort Ross Dialogue forum has been disrupted, TASS reports. According to the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, the American authorities did not issue them visas. She noted that delaying the issuance of visas to visit the United States became a common practice.
The disappointment with the visa situation was expressed by Sarah Svidler, who heads the Fort Ross Conservation Society. She expressed hope that the rest of the Russian delegation would still visit the forum in San Francisco, and noted that expanding the dialogue was always the best option.
Fort Ross, a former Russian settlement and fortress, currently has the status of a historic California state park and a national landmark. The fort, located on the steep Pacific coast, was founded at the beginning of the nineteenth century by the tradesman from the county town of Totma, Vologda province, Ivan Kuskov.
Russkiy Mir
reported earlier that the Russian-American Conference became an annual tradition. Politicians, cultural figures, experts in various fields, journalists, political scientists from both countries take part in it. Within the framework of the forum, discussions and seminars are held on the main issues of the bilateral agenda, economic issues, as well as interaction in various fields are discussed.
Maria Zakharova recalled that the main task of the forum was to develop mutual understanding through public diplomacy. The forum is also an additional incentive to promote cooperation. Apparently, someone in the Washington establishment does not like these goals.
The representative of the foreign ministry drew attention to the fact that Russia did not obstruct American rules in obtaining visas. Our country is open for delegation exchanges, Maria Zakharova said. It is unfortunate, she summed up, that reciprocal readiness was not observed.
Russkiy Mir
