"Concerted action is the only way top survive in conditions of competition by relying on the intellectual potential of our nations and by heeding the current imperative, which implies that we defend ourselves against new threats," the Russian head of state said here today, while addressing an international forum, which deals with Eurasian integration, modern development trends and globalization challenges. This forum is taking place at the Gumilev University in Astana.
"We must steer toward integration, while comprehending this," Vladimir Putin added.
"We would like to restore what had been lost after the Soviet Union's disintegration, albeit in line with entirely different concepts," Vladimir Putin stressed. In his words, joint efforts are essential for the sake of tackling economic and security problems.
"It's much easier to destroy than to build; those particular issues, which had seemed obvious only yesterday, now present certain difficulties and problems," the Russian leader said.
Vladimir Putin called on those present not to forget Russia's global role during the solution of Eurasian-security problems.
"One gets the impression that the enemies of President Nursultan Nazarbayev have joined the ranks of the forum's organizers," Vladimir Putin said.
"I drew this conclusion, after analyzing the forum's program. Among other things, the forum will discuss Eurasian security and the geopolitical interests of external forces - the United States, China, the European Union, Japan and Russia - are the main item on the forum's agenda," Vladimir Putin noted.
"I understand that one can hire a cab, which will take him or her anywhere; such people apparently don't need geography; all one has to do is unfold a map and see that Russia is located in the heart ofEurasia," Vladimir Putin noted.
"As far as Eurasian security is concerned, I believe an overwhelming majority will agree that such problems are unlikely to be solved outside the context of Russia's global role; this concerns Eurasian security and worldwide security alike," Vladimir Putin told those present.
Vladimir Putin named four problems, which, in his opinion, hamper the successful development of any integration processes.
"If I were allowed to take part in the session of the forum's workshop dealing with conceptual problems of integration entities' activity, then I would sum up such problems in just three or four phrases. Such problems are as follows - great-power chauvinism, nationalism, personal ambitions of those engaged in the political decision-making process and ordinary primitive stupidity," Vladimir Putin added.
"But we are bright people," the Russian head of state told forum delegates. Vladimir Putin then said that he would like to ask bright people of all countries to unite at the end of his participation in the forum.
The Astana-based Eurasian university is named after prominent scientist Leo Gumilev (1912-1992), the son of Anna Akhmatova and Nikolai Gumilev, two of Russia's greatest 20-th century poets. Gumilev Jr. personified the link between the culture of Russia's Silver Age and modern times. His concept of mankind and ethnic groups as bio-social categories ranks among the boldest theories dealing with specific laws and trends of mankind's historical development. Gumilev's theory, which has its proponents and opponents, still evokes heated debates.
