Rustam Minnikhanov: experience of Algerian city Tlemcen in restoration of historical and architectural monuments is interesting for Tatarstan

Agreement on developing partnership between Kazan city (Tatarstan Republic) and Tlemcen city (People's Democratic Republic of  Algeria) was signed today in Tatarstan Government House. Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin and Mayor of Tlemcen Abdenbi Senusi-Bereksi signed the documents.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov and governor of Tlemcen area (People's Democratic Republic of Algeria) Mr Abdelouahab Nouri attended the event.

Later on at the meeting with Mr Nouri Rustam Minnikhanov said Republic is interested in cooperation with Tlemcen as the city is known for rich history and culture. “You made enormous work on restoration and reconstruction of historical and architectural monuments. Today Tatarstan is following this way by restoring Great Bolgar – a place where Islam was adopted for the first time. Your experience will be very useful for us”, Rustam Minnikhanov said.

Rustam Minnikhanov reminded relationships between Russia and Algeria are successfully developing. Last year the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was in Algeria with official visit. Algeria is a big player in the market of hydrocarbons. Thus, cooperation between Kazan and Algerian city Tlemcen is expected to bring results.

Governor of Tlemcen area Abdelouahab Nouri in his turn marked the agreement on developing partnership between Kazan and Tlemcen will meet mutual expectations and consolidate friendly relationships of the two regions. “This meeting is very important for establishing future cooperation. The agreement will give impetus to further development of relations in various spheres, make Kazan and Tlemcen closer to each other and open up new opportunities”, he said.

Abdelouahab Nouri briefly told about Algerian province Tlemcen and the city of Tlemcen. He reminded Tlemcen is the cradle of civilization. A lot of historical and architectural monuments of Tlemcen made it the capital of Islamic culture. Today 70 % of all Algerian monuments of Arabic and Islamic culture are located in Tlemcen.

Province Tlemcen is the largest in Algeria with area of 9 thousand km² and population of 1 mln people, of which 60 % is young people. Industry, agriculture, culture and education are developed areas in Tlemcen.

“We will be glad to see our colleagues and friends from Tatarstan in Tlemcen in order to define prospects of further cooperation”, Abdelouahab Nouri said. Mayors of twin cities Ilsur Metshin and Abdenbi Senusi-Bereksi exchanged greetings and plans regarding future cooperation.