Russia, a multinational and multi-confessional nation, has long cherished its close ties with Muslim states, particularly within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The Group of Strategic Vision (GSV) "Russia - Islamic World," led by Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, plays a pivotal role as a "supporting structure" in the relations between Russia and the OIC. This was highlighted by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko during a meeting with the leadership of the GSV "Russia-Islamic World" and ambassadors of OIC member states in Moscow.
Rudenko emphasized that Russia and Islamic countries share a common commitment to fostering a multipolar world order, grounded in the principles of the UN Charter, cultural and civilizational diversity, and the right of peoples to determine their own development paths. He underscored the rejection of neoliberal values that threaten the spiritual and moral foundations of societies and criticized the use of unilateral restrictive measures against those who pursue independent foreign and domestic policies based on national interests. Russia, Rudenko noted, places great importance on enhancing friendly ties with the OIC, marking its 55th anniversary this September.
"It is with great satisfaction that I report on the substantial achievements we've made over the past two decades, since Russia was granted observer status at the OIC in 2005. This period has seen the establishment of a productive political dialogue on pressing international issues, with the Middle East issue now prominently on the agenda. We are actively fostering inter-parliamentary exchanges. The OIC has even decided to dispatch its observers to the upcoming presidential elections in the Russian Federation, demonstrating its commitment to our democratic processes. Our engagement spans across culture, education, and science, with a growing emphasis on regional and people-to-people interactions. Through meetings with representatives from various sectors, including clergy, youth, and cultural figures, we aim to enhance mutual understanding between Russia and the Islamic world, showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of modern Russian society," the deputy foreign minister noted.
The GSV, under Minnikhanov's leadership, serves as a supporting structure for interreligious dialogue, aimed at safeguarding traditional spiritual and moral values and enhancing mutual understanding between the Russian Orthodox Church and Muslim organizations. "The initiative to strengthen cooperation between Russia and the OIC is widely supported by the public in our country. It is a collaborative effort involving business sectors, religious communities, youth organizations, and prominent figures in science and culture. The significant contributions from the authorities of Russian regions with a long-standing Muslim population cannot be underestimated," the diplomat added.
Rudenko also announced that Kazan will host the regular International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum" in mid-May, which is expected to further boost cooperation between Russia and Islamic countries in the trade and economic sphere. "A special meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the Forum. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia will be responsible for organizing these events. Diplomatic and trade missions have been dispatched to send out the necessary invitations to OIC member states. We eagerly anticipate the arrival of representative delegations from your countries in the welcoming capital of Tatarstan," Rudenko concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry