MOSCOW, October 23. /TASS/. Russia is open to holding a dialogue as well as to cooperate and advocate for maintaining protection of sports traditions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"We are open to dialogue and cooperation and stand for preserving sports traditions, the fundamental norms of international sports law, while also focusing on advancing and promoting development," Putin stated in his message to all participants and guests of the 14th Russia: Country of Sports international sports forum in Krasnoyarsk.

The 14th Russia: Country of Sports annual international sports forum is taking place in Russia’s second-largest Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk on October 21-23 with the support of the Russian government and the Sports Ministry. The event is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Krasnoyarsk Region government. TASS is the official information partner of the forum.

The annual forum was established in 2009 by a decree of the Russian president to promote physical culture and sport, international sports cooperation, and a healthy lifestyle.