Turkey Prime Minister arrives in Kazan

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov welcomed the Turkish delegation at the international airport “Kazan” on Wednesday evening.

(Kazan, March 17, Tatar-Inform). Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Kazan on Wednesday as part of his working trip to the Russian Federation. President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov welcomed him at the international airport of Tatarstan’s capital.

Prime Minister of Tatarstan Ildar Khalikov, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, Vice-Chairman of RT State Council Rimma Ratnikova also greeted the Turkish delegation, RT President’s press-service informs.

“It is the first time in Tatarstan’s history such a distinguished guest and such a large delegation from Turkey have come to our republic,” Rustam Minnikhanov said.

The head of Tatarstan thanked Recep Tayyip Erdogan for existing contacts. In particular, RT president mentioned the recently held session of the inter-government Russian-Turkish commission for economic cooperation and respectful attitude of Turkey to the memory of Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukai. “We respond the same,” the President assured.

Thanks to support of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a good basis for developing economic relations between Tatarstan and Turkey has been established, Rustam Minnikhanov noted. President of Tatarstan reminded that two large plants for wood milling and glass production are being constructed in the special economic zone “Alabuga”; an effective meeting between Turkish car spares suppliers and Tatarstan automobile manufacturers was held in October 2010. From Rustam Minnikhanov’s point of view, the special respect should be given to the Turkish Prime Minister for the fact that Turkish businessmen are actively coming to Tatarstan and Russia.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan thanked Rustam Minnikhanov on his own behalf and on behalf of the delegation for hospitality. “For many years I have dreamed of coming to Tatarstan, that’s why it is a great pleasure to be the first Turkish Prime Minister who is visiting your republic.”

Kazan is the second city in the program of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Russia. On Wednesday Prime Minister of Turkey held meetings with Russia President Dmitry Medvedev and RF Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.