Rustam Minnikhanov: Tatarstan and Iran are developing multi-faceted cooperation

On October 11, at the Presidential Residence in the Kazan Kremlin, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov had a meeting with Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Russia Mehdi Sana'i.

Welcoming the guests, Minnikhanov congratulated Mehdi Sana’i on playing in a draw a friendly match between the Russian and Iranian national football teams, which took place at the Kazan Arena Stadium yesterday.

Minnikhanov stressed that Tatarstan appreciates the current level of cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran. "Our relations are multi-faceted. The interaction is based on a common commitment to international law, as well as the coincidence of positions on many key topics of the global and regional agenda," Tatarstan President said.

He noted that various official and business delegations of the republic have paid several visits to Iran, joint business forums have been held, and prominent officials of the Islamic republic have visited Kazan.

Minnikhanov said that the Memorandum on trade cooperation was signed between the governments of Tatarstan and Iran. Such regional enterprises as KAMAZ Automaker, Tatneft Oil Company, and Kazan Helicopter Plant are working with Iran. However, Tatarstan President noted that not all opportunities for increasing the volume of mutual trade have been used.

"There is a potential for cooperation in the fields of engineering, petrochemistry, medicine and pharmaceuticals. I am sure that we can cooperate in terms of joint deliveries of various products. Moreover, work on attracting investors should be intensified. We are ready to provide Iranian partners good conditions for developing their business in the republic," Tatarstan President continued.

According to him, Tatarstan is actively interacting with the Islamic world and countries that are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. As noted at the meeting, on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group was set up. It has been headed by Minnikhanov since 2014 and has already held three meetings.

Tatarstan President said that there is a good potential for developing cooperation in the sphere of education, culture, sport and tourism.

In his turn, Mehdi Sana’i thanked Minnikhanov for the opportunity to visit Tatarstan and learn more about the potential of "one of the leading and economically developed regions of Russia".