The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) hopes for further strengthening of bilateral relations with Russia in all areas and their broad diversification. It is stated in the message of the OIC Secretary-General Yusuf Bin Ahmed Al Uthaymeen to the participants of the Economic Summit "Russia-Islamic World: KazanSummit 2021". The message was read by Ramazan Abdulatipov, Russia's Permanent Representative to the OIC.
"Without a doubt, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation looks forward to further strengthening and diversifying ties with the Russian Federation in all fields in order to strengthen peace, dialogue and cooperation in the international community," the message reads.
The OIC Secretary-General separately stressed that the organization "also appreciates the privileged relations and traditional partnership with the Russian Federation and sees these constructive relations as supporting issues of international peace and security as well as promoting regional and international development." "I remain confident that there is ample scope for further strengthening cooperation, consultation on a number of current issues between the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, its member states, and the Russian Federation, especially given the challenges many Islamic countries face today," he continued. - "We are looking forward to the next round of Russian-OIC political consultations to be held in the near future at the headquarters of the OIC Secretariat General in Jeddah."
In this regard, the Secretary-General recalled his working visit to Russia in July 2019 and praised the "significant contribution" of the parties' regular meetings in "strengthening a fruitful dialogue." "Regular meetings provide an opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest, chief among which is the Palestinian question and achieving a lasting and just peace in the Middle East region, including through cooperation on intercultural, interreligious issues as well as coordination of efforts to combat terrorism and extremism," he stressed. - "Once again, I would like to express my satisfaction with the results of my visit to Russia in July 2019, during which I had the opportunity to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and hear his authoritative opinion on a number of international issues of mutual interest. I hope that our high-level visits will continue."
The organization's Secretary-General also thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin in a message for his "special attention" to strengthening relations between the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and its member states and Russia. "It is good for the Islamic world to see that the Russian Federation is home to a Muslim community practicing moderate Islam. And it encourages Muslims to participate in their country's society in a practical and purposeful way. We also value the legal space granted to Islam in Russia and the right to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion, which reflects the principles of coexistence, tolerance and diversity that underlie Russian society," he added. - "There is no doubt that a mutually beneficial, intellectual, cultural, and economic rapprochement has always had a positive and constructive effect on strengthening relations between the Islamic world and the Russian Federation, as well as creating platforms for consultation characterized by understanding and clarity, in addition to the existing fruitful ties of both sides in many spheres."
The XII International Economic Summit "Russia - Islamic World: KazanSummit 2021" will continue until July 30. Representatives of 61 countries and 38 regions of Russia are taking part. The summit is aimed at developing cooperation and maintaining a dialogue between Russia and the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the economic, political and cultural spheres.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Based on materials from TASS