Rustam Minnikhanov meets with President of Turkey

On April 26, during his visit to Turkmenistan, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov met with Turkish President Abdullah Gül in Ashkhabad.

“We recall with pleasure your visit to Kazan in 2009, which gave a very good impetus to our relations,” Rustam Minnikhanov addressed Abdullah Gül, noting that Turkey ranks first in the number of joint businesses with foreign ownership in Tatarstan, with the amount of declared Turkish investments making 1.5 billion dollars in SEZ “Alabuga”. The launch of a number of projects was initiated during the visit of Abdullah Gül to Kazan in 2009.

Tatarstan President informed Abdullah Gül that First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov and participants of the session of the Consulting council on foreign investments visited Turkish companies in SEZ “Alabuga”  on April 25. Rustam Minnikhanov invited Abdullah Gül to take part in launching of new production facilities.

According to Rustam Minnikhanov, the regional leadership keeps on developing cooperation with Turkey. Tatarstan delegation led by Rustam Minnikhanov will pay a business visit to Antalya on April 30 and one more visit to Turkey is scheduled for the end of May. “We will communicate and invite our Turkish partners to Tatarstan,” Rustam Minnikhanov said and expressed his hope that Turkish companies will take an active part in the implementation of new major projects in Tatarstan, such as Innopolis and Smart City Kazan.

According to Rustam Minnikhanov, the support of the federal government and direct flights between Tatarstan cities and Istanbul contribute to the development of business contacts between Tatarstan and Turkey.

In particular, the participation of the Turkish delegation in opening of the year “Kazan – the cultural capital of Turkic world” is evidence of the dynamic development of cultural contacts. Rustam Minnikhanov thanked Turkish leadership for their support of Kazan’s bid in choosing the capital of the Turkic world 2014.

Abdullah Gül expressed his hope that he could attend ceremonies of launching Şişecam and Kastamonu Entegre. He also agreed that regular flights contribute to the development of business relations between Tatarstan and Turkey. "We are always glad to see you in our country. I am sure that your next business trip to Antalya will also contribute to the development of our relations,” Abdullah Gül addressed Rustam Minnikhanov.

The parties also discussed the issue of integration of the Crimean Tatars into the Russian society. Abdullah Gül stressed the need to provide opportunities for the Crimean Tatars to maintain their national identity. Rustam Minnikhanov, in his turn, assured Turkish President that the Russian leadership is taking all the necessary measures and provide appropriate guarantees for the Crimean Tatars. Tatarstan President said that he personally contributes to building a constructive dialogue between the Crimean Tatars and the leadership of the Russian Federation.

Turkish Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Mehmet Mehdi Eker, Presidential Secretary General Mustafa Isen, Turkish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Naci Koru, Member of Turkish Parliament Mustafa Kapucu, Tatarsan Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Industry and Trade Ravil Zaripov, Tatarstan Minister of Transport and Roads Lenar Safin, Chief Executive of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Linar Yakupov took part in the meeting.