Russia is open to migrants who come to the country legally and want to make it their permanent place of residence, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Friday.
"For those who want to tie their future to Russia, to learn and respect our history and traditions, to abide by our laws and work honestly, for such people the door is always open," Putin said at a meeting of the council on demographic policy.
He added that despite the crisis some 280,000 people immigrated to Russia in 2009, while just 30,000 left the country.
"What does it mean? What does it show? Russia is still attractive for migrants, mainly from CIS countries," Putin said. "Of course, this is one of our competitive advantages, which should be used in the future, used sensibly for Russia's good, for our citizens' good, for the good of those who come here, who chose Russia as their homeland."
NOVO-OGAREVO, April 23 (RIA Novosti)
