Rustam Minnikhanov met Uganda delegation

Today Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan received the delegation of Uganda. It was the return visit of African guests (Tatarstan delegation had previously visited Uganda in May 2008). Chairman of the Committee of Directors of MTN Company and Secretary General of National Sport Union of Uganda Jaspers Aligaves arrived in the capital of the republic.

Greating the guests Prime Minister noted that the weather in Kazan was like in Africa that day – it was similarly warm in the capital. “Today the Mayor of Kazan and I should thank you for the attention that was showed to the Tatarstan delegation when we visited your capital, your house and your family”, Rustam Minnikhanov said. “And I’m willing to thank you for the support you gave us in struggle for the Universiade. The support of Africa had seriously contributed to our winning”.

Rustam Minnikhanov noted that the visit of Uganda representatives was long waited in the republic. “Despite foreign policy relations between Uganda and Russia we don’t maintain close contact”, Prime Minister said. “And today we have a good opportunity to establish business contacts. I think that your visit will give us the opportunity to set such contacts.”

According to the Head of the Government, OJSC “Tatneft” still intensifies its activities in Africa working in Libia and Syria. “But we need the strategic partner who knows the specific and the people. Then from the development of cooperation in oil industry we can switch over to other spheres: mechanical engineering, helicopter engineering and other industries of Tatarstan economy”, he said. “We’ll make serious effort to maintain our contacts permanently”.

In turn Jaspers Aligaves thanked the Head of the Tatarstan Government for the warm reception. “We liked Tatar cuisine”, said J. Aligaves. “Yesterday we saw sport facilities and was very impressed”.

Jaspers Aligaves thanked the Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism of Tatarstan for his suggestion to Ugandan boxers to take part in students’ world champiomship which is to take place in Kazan this autumn.

In the end of the meeting the Memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the sphere of physical culture and sports was signed between the Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism of Tatarstan and the Minister of Education and Sports of the Republic of Uganda. The document was signed by Marat Bariev and Jaspers Aligaves. Rustam Minnikhanov presented to the guests the FISU badges as a remembrance of visiting Tatarstan and Uganda’s support to Kazan in struggle for the right to hold the Universiade – 2013.