Rustam Minnikhanov meets Governor of the Province of Izmir Mustafa Toprak

On May 18, at his meeting with Governor of the Province of Izmir Mustafa Toprak within the framework of the visit to the Republic of Turkey, Interim President of the Republic of Tatarstan thanked the governor for reception and stressed that the main task for Tatarstan is to establish relations with the Province of Izmir.

He stressed that friendly relations between Russia and Turkey contribute to the development of cooperation between the regions.

Turkey has developed a lot of investment projects, both in the trade-economic and tourism fields, Minnikhanov went on to say. "We, in turn, feel the support of the President of Turkey Mr. Erdogan and his team," he said.

Minnikhanov emphasized that Izmir is Turkey's powerful region in terms of development of industrial and economic sector. Tatarstan and Izmir province have much in common, he said. "We have similar programmes for regional development in the field of tourism, sports and culture. Today, Izmir is a major industrial center. And we want your businessmen come to Tatarstan to develop their business," Minnikhanov said.

In his turn Mustafa Toprak noted that he is glad that relations between Turkey and Tatarstan as the one of the Russian regions are developing. I've heard a lot that Turkish companies are working actively in Tatarstan, he added.

The governor added that the Province of Izmir is the third largest one in Turkey in its industrial and economic potential.