Syrian Circassians from outside compatriots' resettlement programme to Adygea

In 2019, only six families took part in the state programme for the resettlement of Circassian compatriots to their homeland, said Asker Shkhalakhov, the head of the Adygean Committee on Nationalities. About 350 compatriots, who arrived from Syria, are now living in the republic based on residence permits; they also need the loyal attitude of the state, said Asker Sokht, the chairman of the NGO "Adyge Khase" of the Krasnodar Territory.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Circassian repatriates had complained about the red tape in obtaining Russian citizenship. In 2018-2019, the Russian government approved a programme for the voluntary resettlement of compatriots to Adygea, Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria.

Asker Sokht has criticized the implementation of the programme. "Our calculations show that the participation in the programme of compatriots already living in Adygea will stretch for more than twenty years, despite the fact that the programme itself is intended for 2019-2021," he has explained.

"The major problem is that problems of the migrants, who already live in Adygea are ignored. We can't invite new compatriots from abroad without solving the problems of those who have already settled in the republic. New repatriates need jobs, housing and social guarantees," Mr Sokht has emphasized, adding that the students studying in Adygea, as well as employees and farmers working in the territory of the republic, cannot participate in the programme.