Rustam Minnikhanov: Cities and local governments play an important role in social-economic and humanitarian development in modern world

On July 31, at the Kazan City Hall, Interim President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Russian Deputy Presidential Envoy in Volga Federal District Oleg Melnichenko, Chairman of the Committee on topical issues of the Congress of Eurasian regional branch of the World organization “United cities and local governments”, Chairman of Tatarstan State Council Farid Mukhametshin, Chairman of Moscow State Duma Aleksei Shaposhnikov, Secretaries general of seven regional branches of the “United cities and local governments”, deputies of Russian State Duma, Consulates of Turkey and Iran took part in opening of the Congress of Eurasian regional branch of the World organization “United cities and local governments”.

The main topic of the congress is “Local decisions for global development: towards Eurasian integration”.

The session is aimed at strengthening Eurasian cooperation and increasing the unity of geopolitical region, potential and involvement of local governments in making global solutions.

Co-President of the “United cities and local governments” Ilsur Metshin opened the session and thanked the guests for coming to such an important event. He expressed his hope that certain decisions on developing Eurasian integration will be made during the session.

Rustam Minnikhanov welcomed participants of the session and thanked leadership of the “United cities and local governments” for rendering support and defending interests of local governments in the international arena. He especially noted the role of the president of the organization Kadir Topbaş.

Minnikhanov reminded that headquarters of Eurasian branch of “United cities and local governments” is located in Kazan.

“Cities and local governments play an important role in social-economic and humanitarian development in modern world,” he said.

Rustam Minnikhanov continued that Kazan is an important liaison between East and West, and Tatarstan is actively involved in strengthening of economic, educational, cultural and humanitarian cooperation between regions and local governments. He added that the region is integrated into the global economic space and offers favourable conditions for foreign companies. For the last five years 7 mln US dollars have been attracted to the republic, and 1400 modern enterprises with foreign participation have been created in Tatarstan.