Rustam Minnikhanov answered questions of the EC Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) reporters

President of Tatartsan Rustam Minnikhanov met with commission reporters of PACE at a Kazan Kremlin.

The point is on development of democratization processes in Russia, on principles of holding election campaigns, on preserving stability in such multi-confessional and multinational region as Republic Tatarstan .

PACE commission reporters on monitoring Andreas Gross (Switzerland) and Giorgi Frunda (Romania) stay in Kazan with a working visit (January 19-22 , 2011). The program of their stay in Tatarstan includes communication with representatives of prosecutor offices, leaders of national-cultural autonomies, representatives of Religious board of Muslims of Tatarstan, Orthodox clerics, members of RT Public chamber etc., visiting Republican center of sports-patriotic pre-conscript youth training «Patriot», RT State Council.

Welcoming PACE commission reporters, Rustam Minnikhanov reminded that close relations had been fixed already between this organization and Republic of Tatarstan.

He mentioned that one of important tasks of authorities today is improving life quality of citizens. He informed the commission reporters of the Tatarstan social economic development results in 2010, shared out how a crisis echoed in the republic, the aftermaths of drought summer of 2010 and losses incurred by agro-industrial complex.

Speaking about implementing number of major projects in Republic he reminded that in startup mode the work of oil chemical and oil refinery Complex of plants has been launched in Nizhnekamsk, about 6 bln USD . already invested. One more important project for the republic –OOO “Ammonia” ( complex for production of ammonia, methanol and granulated carbamide in Mendeleyevsk ) is under construction.

Further, Rustam Minnikhanov told what is being done in the republic for developing small and middle business, creating infrastructure for entrepreneurship, etc.

In social context among the issues covered in a conversation with PACE representatives – implementing project «Electronic school», provision of schools with modern PC, teachers with notebooks and program on reducing queuing for vacancies to kinder gardens. In 2011 about 100 mln. as required roubles for solving this task.

Regarding inter-confessional peace in the region, Rustam Minnikhanov said, a big experience has been accrued in Tatarstan. Republic’s leadership seriously treats the questions of preserving inter-confessional harmony, he stated. Despite 90th years when the attempts were made to destabilize situation, a competent policy of the first president of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimeiv enabled to keep calmness. It is necessary to respect any religion, Rustam Minnikhanov mentioned. As positive example he brought out the works within the project «Revival»: The works in Tatartsan are under way on restoring such religious relics as ancient town Bolgar and island –town Sviyazhsk.

In conclusion Rustam Minnikhanov assured that further cooperation with PACE will be useful and knowledgeable for both parties and during exchange of opinions and discussion the constructive solutions may be found on many actual questions.