Russia needs to adopt updated migration policy concept in 2025 - Putin

MOSCOW. March 5 (Interfax) - Russia needs to adopt an updated migration policy concept this year and consider a shift to electronic authorization of migrants, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"As agreed, the Interior Ministry, working together with other services, should explore a possible shift from a paper migration card to electronic authorization of foreign migrants. These and other innovations should be envisaged by an updated concept of the state migration policy, which needs to be adopted as early as this year," Putin said at an expanded meeting of the Russian Interior Ministry's board on Wednesday.

It is also necessary to develop the available mechanisms for repatriation of fellow citizens and relocation of foreigners who share Russian traditional values and want to live and work in Russia, especially if they have relevant skills and education and the Russian economy needs them, Putin said.

"The Interior Ministry has important tasks in the field of migration, where public and personal security and preservation of our cultural identity are the priority," he said.

"It is necessary to block illegal immigration channels and to be more active in using modern migration control instruments," Putin said.