On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Russian Federation's joining the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia-Islamic World" and the Russian Federation's Mission to the OIC held a videoconference on Tuesday entitled "15 years of partnership between the Russian Federation and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation".
It is attended by the OIC Secretary-General Yousef Al-Othaimeen, the Permanent Representative of Russia to the OIC Ramazan Abdulatipov, the Special Representative of the Russian Foreign Minister for Interaction with organizations of Muslim States, Ambassador-at-large Konstantin Shuvalov and others.
Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, the Chairman of the GSV Russia – Islamic world, addressed the conference participants with a greeting.
During the conference, a booklet on cooperation between Russia and the OIC was presented.
Russia joined the Organization as an observer country at the end of June 2005 at the 32nd conference of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (until 2011-the Organization of the Islamic conference), held in Sana'a.
The process was initiated in 2003 by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a working visit to Malaysia. Speaking to the participants of the X OIC summit in Putrajaya, the Russian leader announced the need for Russia to participate in its activities due to its "intertwining with the Islamic world".
Abdulatipov: Russia and the OIC have a huge potential for cooperation
Russia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have a huge potential for cooperation in various fields.
Ramazan Abdulatipov, the Permanent Representative of Russia to the OIC, said this today when opening the video conference "15 years of partnership between the Russian Federation and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation".
Abdulatipov recalled that today, June 30, marks the 15th anniversary of Russia's entry into the OIC. Russia joined the Organization as an observer country at the end of June 2005 at the 32nd conference of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (until 2011-the Organization of the Islamic conference), held in Sana'a.
The process was initiated in 2003 by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a working visit to Malaysia. Speaking to the participants of the X OIC summit in Putrajaya, the Russian leader announced the need for Russia to participate in its activities due to its "intertwining with the Islamic world".
"Joining the largest international organization after the UN was a major milestone in restoring Russia's relations with the Islamic world," Abdulatipov said.
Over these years, Russia, according to him, has reached a good level of cooperation with the OIC in the entire range of bilateral and multilateral relations.
Political consultations between Moscow and Jeddah are held annually, where a wide range of issues on the bilateral and international agenda are discussed. The next round of such negotiations should take place in Jeddah. The consultation program is already being worked out.
According to Abdulatipov, Russia and the OIC are particularly united by their position on moderate Islam and the need to establish an interfaith dialogue. In addition, the parties are actively working together to counter extremism and terrorism.
The OIC is interested in Russia's experience of peaceful coexistence of religions and nationalities. A number of events dedicated to the international dialogue are planned in the near future. According to Abdulatipov, the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia – Islamic world", created at the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin and headed by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, takes an active part in them.
The OIC Secretary-General expressed hope for further development of cooperation with Russia
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation pays great attention to cooperation with Russia and hopes to continue the dialogue, the OIC Secretary-General Youssef Al-Othaimeen said at the conference "15 years of partnership between the Russian Federation and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation".
According to him, Russia is an important partner of the Organization and makes a great contribution to strengthening regional and international security.
"We value the legal space of Muslims in Russia, who have the opportunity to perform their rites. Islam is an important historical element of the cultural heritage of Russia, where 20 million Muslims live. In addition, Russia is near to many Muslim countries," Al-Othaimeen said.
Strong ties between Russia and the OIC, according to him, make a great contribution to the development of the intellectual potential of the parties and help strengthen Russia's relations with the Islamic world, which in recent years has faced a number of difficulties, including terrorism, social and economic crisis, which are increasing due to the coronavirus pandemic.
All these issues are discussed with the Russian side during regular consultations at various levels.
"We hope that the next round of consultations will take place at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah. We are ready to support Russia's initiatives to strengthen the position of moderate Islam, which rejects all forms of violence. We look forward to expanding contacts with Russia in order to strengthen cultural and civilizational diversity in the world," the Secretary-General of the Organization stressed.
Minnikhanov: Tatarstan is proud of its contribution to the development of cooperation between Russia and the OIC
Photo: official website of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan
Tatarstan is proud of its contribution to the development of relations between Russia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, who heads the GSV "Russia – Islamic world" said in his greeting to the participants of the video conference "15 years of partnership between the Russian Federation and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation".
The text of the message was read out during the conference by the Deputy Chairman of the GSV Farit Mukhametshin.
According to Minnikhanov, Muslim countries are traditional partners of Russia in promoting inter-confessional and inter-civilizational dialogue. The Russian Federation and the OIC join efforts to ensure stability and security at the regional and international levels. Tatarstan, in turn, maintains a dialogue with both the Central office of the OIC and its structures.
At the same time, according to the Chairman of the GSV, relations between Russia and the OIC still have potential for growth.
The world today face many challenges to overcome that, as emphasized by the President, is possible only together.
"This task will allow us to bring relations between Russia and the OIC to a qualitatively new level," the message of the Chairman of the GSV "Russia - Islamic world" reads.
Farit Mukhametshin, in turn, noted that in recent years the world has entered a period of dangerous instability that affects all countries. International law is being eroded. The system of international relations that has been created for decades is being destroyed. Terrorism and religious extremism pose a particular threat.
Dealing with today's global threats, according to Mukhametshin, should be the priorities for cooperation between Russia and the OIC.
MFA: Russia's relations with the Islamic world are historical
Russia's centuries-old relations with the countries of the Islamic world have a historical character. In recent years, they have acquired signs of inter-civilizational partnership,
the Special Representative of the Russian Foreign Minister for Interaction with organizations of Muslim States, Ambassador-at-large Konstantin Shuvalov said at the conference "15 years of partnership between the Russian Federation and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation".
"The Organization of Islamic Cooperation is not only the largest international organization after the UN, but also the only interstate association based on religious and civilizational community. Civilizational diversity remains a necessary condition for the development of humanity, " the diplomat stressed.
The promotion of Muslim States through the OIC of their positions acts in favor of the development of polycentrism and democracy in decision-making. Cooperation within the OIC in the fields of economy, finance, human rights, culture, science and technology makes it possible to create a unique development model that does not imitate someone else's experience.
The OIC, first of all, is a political organization, Shuvalov reminded. Its central work is the solution to the problem of Jerusalem and Palestine.
The recognition of Palestine by Russia as an independent state, as the Representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed, provides a solid foundation for the further development of relations between Russia and the Muslim world in general and the OIC in particular.
The diplomat particularly noted the work of the GSV "Russia – Islamic world" in this direction, which, according to him, is a solid platform for bringing Russia's positions closer to the Islamic countries.
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu: the Muslim world hopes for Russia in the Palestinian issue
Russia is an important country with a rich history. Already 50 years ago, when the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (until 2011 – the Organization of the Islamic conference) was just being created, the USSR, being one of the world's largest superpowers, defended the interests of the Muslim world in the Palestinian issue, Everyone is still hoping for Russia's help in solving this problem, former OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, who headed the Organization from 2005 to 2013, said this at the video conference "15 years of partnership between the Russian Federation and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation",
Now, according to him, the era of globalization has arrived, when all efforts are aimed at removing barriers in order to ensure the freedom of movement of goods and ideas.
By joining the "family of the OIC countries", as noted by the former Secretary-General of the Organization, Russia has opened up new opportunities and horizons for interaction with the Muslim world. The Russian Federation and the OIC share support for such traditional values of Islam as equality and justice.
"We appreciate Russia's efforts to maintain good relations with the Muslim world. These efforts will benefit both sides and contribute to peace, stability and prosperity at the global level," Ihsanoglu said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"