Rustam Minnikhanov’s speech at the Russia – Islamic World Strategic Vision Group presentation

21 June 2019

Dear Sergey Viktorovich.

 

Dear ladies and gentlemen.

 

Dear friends.

 

First of all, I would like to warmly welcome all the participants of today’s presentation and express my gratitude for the interest towards the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World”. Special words of gratitude are given to Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov and the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the years of joint productive work and assistance in the development of international and foreign economic relations in Russian regions. We are also grateful to our foreign partners for constructive suggestions aimed at developing business cooperation within the framework of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World”.

 

The number of Muslims in the world is 1,7 billion people and it continues to grow. There are more than 20 million Muslims in the Russian Federation; there are regions with the prevailing Muslim population. There is an old tradition of interaction with Islamic states in political, economic, cultural and educational spheres. President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin pays much attention to the cooperation with Muslim countries. In 2005 at his initiative our country became an observer in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Malaysia.

 

The Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World” that was founded in 2006 by the prominent Russian statesman Evgeny Maksimovich Primakov and the first President of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Sharipovich Shaimiev, has turned out to be very demanded. Today this direction has become influential. The main task of it is to contribute worldwide to the process of further rapprochement of Russia with the Islamic World on cultural and civilizational basis, establishing contacts with a focus on the expansion of economic, scientific and technological, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The Russian and foreign parts of the group have been formed. They include former high-ranking leaders, representatives of science and society, business circles and religious figures of many countries.

 

Since 2015, the Group has held meetings in Moscow, Kazan, Grozny and Makhachkala. The work is underway on the preparation for the meeting abroad. In addition to it, we have discussed a number of cities that are ready to host the Group’s meetings. 

 

The activity of the Group covers a wide range of spheres. In our country and abroad various public and journalistic forums, scientific and practical conferences and festivals, round tables for the religious youth and other events are held under its patronage. The Group has gained consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council. Engagement with Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Islamic Development Bank and other authoritative international Muslim organizations is carried out.

 

The leading economic platform is International Economic Summit “Russia – Islamic World” “KazanSummit”. This year the forum has gathered 3800 participants from 72 countries of the world and 38 Russian regions.

 

Dear ladies and gentlemen. During today’s meeting we will tell you about our work, plans and prospects and exchange opinions. We would be grateful for more active participation of representatives of Bashkortostan and regions in the work of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World”.

 

For its part, the executive body of the Group – the newly established Fund of Strategic Dialogue and Partnership with the Islamic World – is ready to provide you with all the necessary consultative and methodological help.

 

Dear ladies and gentlemen, I hope for joint effective work for the benefit of the people of our country.