The Republic of Tatarstan has long been famous for its close relations both with various Russian regions and foreign countries, including the countries of the Islamic world. The areas in which bilateral productive interaction continues to this day include literally all spheres of public life – economy, culture, education and history.
The Republic regularly participates in Eurasian integration processes, develops strategic partnership with CIS, BRICS and SCO countries. The capital of Tatarstan, Kazan, has become the venue for major international events. This is Tatarstan where the main platform of economic cooperation between the Russian Federation and the countries of the Islamic world – the International Economic Summit of Russia and the OIC countries KazanSummit – has been functioning for several years, which aims not only to present the experience of potential colleagues, but also to consolidate the cooperation and address important issues of concern to many Muslims around the world.
Tatarstan’s longstanding relations with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation are being consolidated in the East. On behalf of President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, the activities of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World” were resumed in 2015. The activities of the Group are aimed at uniting the efforts of various countries and public institutions to counter growing threats to international security based on the distortion of the basic tenets of Islam, as well as at expanding economic, cultural and educational cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world and interaction at the level of youth organizations. Dozens of public, scientific and religious forums and events are held annually within and beyond the Russian Federation as part of the Group’s action plan.
A kind of summarizing the foreign policy pursued by Tatarstan for many years was the opening of the exhibition “Open to the World” in the Museum of the History of Statehood of the Tatar People and the Republic of Tatarstan, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Tatarstan Republic and the 30th anniversary of the Declaration on Tatarstan’s State Sovereignty. According to the organizers, the main goal of the exhibition is to introduce the history of relations between the Republic of Tatarstan and its international partners, cultural and economic aspects of the cooperation, which is largely aimed at maintaining peace and stability in relations between the countries.
A special place at the exhibition is occupied by photos, awards, letters of gratitude and diplomatic gifts presented during international visits and meetings of M. Shaimiev, the First President of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Rustam Minnikhanov, the incumbent President, - items kept at the Kazan Kremlin Museum-Reserve.
The exhibition features a gift set of writing supplies given by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, a sculpture “Flying Ship” and a calligraphy set made by Chinese craftsmen, and samples of weapons art from Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Special mention should be made of the letters of gratitude signed by the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and IRCICA, and commemorative gifts from the Turksoy organization for their fruitful cooperation and support during the events.
The exhibition “Open to the World” is organized with the support of the Office of the President and Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan and will run until 28 February.
Ilmira Gafiyatullina