The VI annual meeting of the Group of strategic vision (GSV) Russia-Islamic world is to be held in April 2020 in Saudi Arabia at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
On January 27-29, as part of the preparation for the April meeting of the Group, a Saudi delegation headed by the Director of the Department for Interaction with Islamic organizations of the KSA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muhammad al-Shimmari, visited Moscow. The delegation was received in the Federation Council by Farit Mukhametshin, Deputy Chairman of the GSV Russia-Islamic world, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the Federation Council on Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, the Senator stressed that the Russian leadership attaches great importance to strengthening cooperation with the KSA, as evidenced by the state visit of President Vladimir Putin to the Kingdom in October 2019. Farit Mukhametshin noted the special position of Saudi Arabia in the Islamic world, since, the two main Islamic shrines are located in Mecca and Medina. The meeting of the Group is being prepared in cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, where Russia has been an observer since 2005.
During the talks, the parties discussed the issues of preparation for the upcoming meeting of the Group in April.
Muhammad al-Shimmari said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia has established an Organizing Committee for the VI annual meeting of the GVS. The Saudi diplomat commended the activities of the Group aimed at bringing Russia closer to the Islamic world, saying that the Saudi side would provide all necessary assistance for the successful holding of the April meeting of the GVS.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue contacts in order to coordinate further actions for the successful holding of the April event.
The KSA delegation also visited the residence of the Moscow Cathedral mosque, where it was received by Rushan Hazrat Abbyasov, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Muftis Council and the Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation.
On the Russian side, the talks were also attended by Deputy Chairman of the GSV Russia-Islamic world, Ambassador-At-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Konstantin Shuvalov, assistant to the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Gazinur Bakirov and Chief Adviser to the Group's Chairman Veniamin Popov.
Press service of the Group of strategic vision
"Russia- Islamic world"