On May, 18 Vladimir Chizhov, Permanent representative of the Russian Federation to the EU, visited Herzen University. Vladimir Chizhov had a meeting with the School trainees. He appreciated the work of the School and reaffirmed the long-term commitment of the Russian MFA to its graduates. The honorable guest explained Russia’s foreign policy towards the European Union and stressed the importance of European values for Russia as well as the growing demand for Russian language specialists in the EU. Vladimir Chizhov answered questions from the audience and described the challenges facing interpreters working in IOs – the constant need to upgrade the command of one’s foreign language and broaden the scope of general knowledge. Vladimir Chizhov also had a meeting with First Vice-Rector Sergei Goncharov.