Russia encourages its diplomats to use social mediaJuly 16, 2012 - 12:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia has moved to increase its influence in the international arena by encouraging its diplomats to use social media, RIA Novosti reported citing the July 16 edition of Kommersant daily. The Russian Foreign Ministry is planning to open a Facebook page in the near future and has already launched special courses to teach diplomats how to make the most of their Twitter accounts to help promote Russia’s position on the world stage, the report said. “To achieve this, special instructions have been sent to all [Russian] embassies,” the paper said. The ministry is also planning to redesign its official webpage by the end of the year, it said. Last week, the ministry launched a YouTube account (midrftube) where internet users can watch videos of speeches by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other senior Russian diplomats, as well as other video materials related to Russia’s foreign policy and international relations. During a closed-door meeting with Russian ambassadors last week, President Vladimir Putin urged diplomats to actively use new technologies to improve Russia’s image and defend its interests, Kommersant said, quoting an official who attended the meeting. “It’s not enough to just say something once… We should explain our positions again and again, using various platforms and new technologies, until they understand,” the official, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, quoted Putin as saying. Putin called on Russian diplomats last week to be proactive, constructive, pragmatic and flexible, and promised that Russia’s foreign policy “will remain self-sufficient and independent,” but will not slide into “isolationism or confrontation.” Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |