Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko met with Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha.
"We value our cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation," Valentina Matviyenko said, stressing that this cooperation is going on progressively in all directions, which opens new opportunities for parliamentary work.
The speaker of the Federation Council paid attention to the worthy contribution of the subjects of the Russian Federation in increasing the cooperation with the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
"The line for the development of ties with the Muslim world enjoys broad public support in our country, especially in those regions where a significant part of the population professes Islam", - said the speaker of the Federation Council. - "Our country made a great contribution to the elimination of colonialism and the establishment of independent states, including many Muslim ones. Therefore, it is quite natural that Russia and Islamic countries interact closely and fruitfully in various formats."
According to Valentina Matviyenko, the Islamic world is undoubtedly one of the centers of the multipolar world.
She assured that relations between Russia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation may develop steadily, including in new areas of interaction.
Among them, Matviyenko stressed, are strengthening relations in the framework of the OIC Parliamentary Union and the Women Development Organization in the Member States of the OIC.
"We see the common approaches as a strong foundation for further expansion of ties, including regional ties," the speaker said.
Valentina Matviyenko drew attention to the significant contribution that the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World" is making to building ties between Russia and the Islamic world.
"It is a very good platform to promote numerous initiatives to develop our relations. Senators of the Russian Federation actively participate in the work of the Group. "We are counting on cooperation in holding a meeting of the GSV "Russia - Islamic World" in Malaysia in 2023," the speaker of the Federation Council said.
According to her, an indicator of the friendly nature of relations was the decision to declare the city of Kazan the youth capital of the OIC for 2022.
" We support initiatives on launching and organizing interreligious dialogue in the framework of relations between Russia and OIC", said Valentina Matviyenko.
According to her, Russia and the OIC are looking for ways to cooperate in economy, science, technology and culture. "We are ready to continue work through relevant organizations belonging to the OIC or affiliated with it."
According to Hissein Brahim Tahi, relations between Russia and the OIC are at a good level.
The OIC secretary-general drew attention to the inter-parliamentary component of the cooperation, because, according to him, on this basis the interaction between the countries and peoples is deepening.
During the talk, Valentina Matviyenko and Hissein Brahim Taha discussed food security issues.
"Destructive actions of the West against our country undermine the global economy, putting the poorest countries, including members of the OIC, at risk. Because of Western sanctions against Russia, buyers of food, especially grain and mineral fertilizers, are directly affected. This is a man-made crisis of the West. Russia is ready to fulfill its obligations", said Valentina Matviyenko.
The event was attended by Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Speaker of the FC, Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the FC Committee on International Affairs, Ilyas Umakhanov, First Deputy Chairman of the FC Committee on Science, Education and Culture, member of the GSV "Russia - Islamic World", Farit Mukhametshin, Deputy Chairman of the FC Committee on International Affairs, Deputy Chairman of the GSV "Russia - Islamic World", Belan Khamchiev, Deputy Chairman of the FC Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy and Environmental Management, and Ramazan Abdulatipov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the OIC.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from the Federation Council