During a working visit to Moscow, Marat Gatin, the Deputy Chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision (GSV) "Russia–Islamic World", met with Nazih El Nagari, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Russia. The two officials discussed key areas of cooperation in culture, science, and economics, while exchanging views on the current state of Russian-Egyptian relations.
Gatin opened the meeting by detailing the GSV activities, which serves as a premier international platform bringing together politicians, diplomats, and religious figures from Russia and the Islamic world. As the Group marks its 20th anniversary this year, Gatin highlighted that two decades of work have established a robust framework for dialogue across dozens of nations, with Egypt holding a position of particular importance.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on humanitarian initiatives. Gatin noted the Group’s successful participation in the Cairo International Book Fair, where events sparked deep interest among the Egyptian public regarding the literary traditions of Russia’s Muslim peoples. He emphasized that cultural exchange often builds ties that transcend formal diplomacy.
The dialogue also covered academic partnerships, specifically ongoing collaboration with Al-Azhar University and the Bolgar Islamic Academy. These efforts involve joint research programs and academic exchanges designed to provide a long-term foundation for theological and expert interaction between the two countries.
Gatin briefed the ambassador on the Group's busy spring schedule:
April: A high-level meeting at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs between the Group’s leadership and ambassadors from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states.
May: The annual KazanForum in Tatarstan, which will feature a session of the Group, thematic roundtables, and an international journalists' forum—all centered on the Group's 20th anniversary.
Ambassador Nazih El Nagari expressed a keen interest in these upcoming events, noting that such formats facilitate direct, substantive contact between nations that is often difficult to achieve through traditional diplomatic channels. The meeting concluded with an agreement to move forward with specific joint projects within the established agenda.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"