Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group meeting held in Moscow

By Dmitri Chirciu

MOSCOW (AA) — Tatarstan's president, senior Russian officials, and representatives of Muslim countries gathered Monday for a meeting of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group in Moscow.

Speaking at the meeting, President Rustam Minnikhanov said expanding cooperation with Muslim nations was a priority of Russia's foreign policy.

"In this difficult period of crisis in international relations, cooperation between the Russian Federation and the countries of the Islamic world is of great importance," Minnikhanov said.

Also attending the event, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that relations with Muslim countries was important for Moscow.

"We are in favor of establishing a just, democratic, multipolar world order based on the principles of the UN together with our friends in Muslim countries," he said.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Khusnullin was also at the meeting, where he said in a speech that over the last three years, Russia's trade volume with Muslim nations had increased by nearly 30%.

"Russia will always be the most reliable partner of Muslim states," he said.

The Group of Strategic Vision "Russia – Islamic World" was established in 2006 under the leadership of former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and former Tatar leader Mintimer Shaimiev to help develop ties between Russia and Muslim countries through inter-cultural and inter-civilizational cooperation.

Ambassadors of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries also attended the event.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz.