Tatarstan President meets with Iraq Ambassador to Russia

On April 28 at his meeting with Iraq Ambassador to Russia Ismail Shafiq Muhsin, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov stressed that relations with Arab world have always been important for Russia, and Tatarstan makes a considerable contribution to cooperation between Russia and countries of the League of Arab States.

This week Tatarstan delegation is going to visit the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan Erbil. “Common religion, spiritual and cultural values, and traditions will help us to establish mutually beneficial relations,” Rustam Minnikhanov said. Tatarstan President noted that Islam was adopted in Volga region in 922. Rustam Minnikhanov invited Ismail Shafiq Muhsin to attend the holiday dedicated to this event, “Izge Bolgar Zhyeny”.

Rustam Minnikhanov also informed Ismail Shafiq Muhsin about UNESCO session that will be held in Qatar on June 15-25, where the decision about inclusion of Bolgar in World Heritage List. He told the Ambassador about economic development of the republic, new projects “Innopolis”, and “SMART City Kazan”, and noted that 125 Iraq students currently study in Tatarstan.

“We are interested in strengthening of our cooperation. I believe that your visit to Tatarstan and my trips will give new impetus,” Rustam Minnikhanov said addressing the Ambassador.

Ismail Shafiq Muhsin, in his turn, noted that relations between Russia and Iraq have been developing for a hundred years. “Today leaders of two countries are willing to develop bilateral cooperation,” the Ambassador said. He continued that earlier Tatarstan and Iraq had trade and economic relations, but after 2004 there was not any Tatarstan company working in Iraq market. However, Russian oil companies are successfully working in Iraq, and Tatarstan companies can also take part in development of oil fields and creation of oil processing enterprises.

Other areas of cooperation might be recovery of associated gas, fertilizer manufacturing, construction, delivery of halal products that is now imported to Iraq from Brazil.

Ismail Shafiq Muhsin expressed his hope for Tatarstan participation in the week of cultural exchange dated to 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries. The Ambassador noted that on April 29 he will visit three Kazan universities where Iraq students study. He also asked Rustam Minnikhanov to consider an opportunity of teaching Russian to Iraq students for diplomatic needs.

Rustam Minnikhanov thanked the Ambassador for interest towards Tatarstan, and his active position in development of relations between two countries.