The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia actively cooperates with Tatarstan in ensuring the effective, rhythmic work of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World", Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in an interview for the "Novyy Vek" TV channel in the framework of the project" Tatarstan Today. Open to the world".
The group, as the head of Russian diplomacy recalled, was created by Yevgeny Primakov "as an intellectual club where political scientists, experts with the participation of representatives of the authorities of the respective countries will consider the ways of strategic development of the world from the point of view of relations between Russia and Muslims."
"Since then, the Group has become a very authoritative forum. Five meetings were held, including in recent years meetings are held in Kazan. Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov is the permanent head of this group from the Russian side. In addition, in parallel with strategic and political discussions, the international economic forum "Russia-Islamic world: KazanSummit" – the economic dimension of the Group of Strategic Vision and our relations with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) - has been created and is successfully functioning. We do not forget about the humanitarian track: "Aitmatov readings for the dialogue of cultures" – an established format for communication between intellectuals, scientists, writers, humanitarians in the broadest sense of the word, which is also a kind of branch of the Group. This is a very useful format that we are developing in every possible way. Its significance for our foreign policy is evidenced by the fact that Saudi Arabia has volunteered to host the sixth summit of the GSV Russia-Islamic world. So, I think this is a very promising initiative, which has already become an integral element of our agenda in relations with the Islamic world," Lavrov said in particular.
The Group of Strategic Vision "Russia-Islamic world" was created in 2006 under the leadership of Yevgeny Primakov and the first President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev after the Russian Federation joined the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as an observer.
It includes 33 well-known statesmen and public figures from 27 countries, including former Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers, and major theologians from Indonesia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait and other countries.
The Russian Foreign Minister also assessed Tatarstan's place in the international arena due to the fact that 2020 has been declared the year of the 100th anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic of Tatarstan.
"The Republic is visible and recognizable on the world stage. Our ministries cooperate very closely with the authorities of Tatarstan, not only in our daily work, when we resolve current issues with the President of the Republic, Rustam Minnikhanov, and other officials, but also in a systematic way, because Tatarstan is a very active member of the Government Commission for compatriots abroad. The World Congress of Tatars is one of the important instruments of "soft power" to promote the interests of compatriots of all peoples of the Russian Federation in foreign countries. Kazan is always represented as a very active participant in the Government Commission on compatriots abroad, as well as our friends from Tatarstan actively participate in the Council of heads of subjects of the Russian Federation, which operates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. In almost any of our formats, where the Russian Foreign Ministry works together with the regions, the experience of Tatarstan is one of the most promising and in demand by other regions of the Russian Federation. I sincerely congratulate all my friends in Tatarstan and all the people of your Republic on the anniversary," the Minister said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry