Rustam Minnikhanov speaks at the first session of Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group

On June 11, at the opening of the first session of Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group in Moscow (President Hotel), Interim President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said that cooperation with the Islamic world has always been one of the most important parts of Russian foreign policy.

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Iyad Ameen Madani took part in the session.

Welcoming participants of the event, Rustam Minnikhanov thanked everyone for participation in this important work. He reminded that Russian President Vladimir Putin entrusted him with heading the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, and the group will start working again this year.

“Russia has got a unique experience of peaceful co-existence of traditional religions and shows the example of the state with no inter-confessional conflicts. When Russia joined OIC in 2005, it was a logical step to establish  a Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group. The group attracted famous Islamic figures and has become a forum for exchanging opinions regarding urgent problems of cultural communications,” Minnikhanov said.

“Unfortunately, there has been a decline in work of the group during the last few years. We are going to intensify its work taking into account current challenges and events,” he added. It will favour further rapprochement between Russia and the Islamic world based on cultural and civilized principles.

Minnikhanov invited participants of the session to the 7th International economic summit of Russia and OIC countries – KazanSummit that will be held on June 15-16, 2015 in Kazan.