Rustam Minnikhanov meets Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali

On March 10, at the Kazan Kremlin, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov had a meeting with Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Russian Federation Kazem Jalali.

Minnikhanov highly appreciated the potential of cooperation between Tatarstan and Iran under the Russian-Iranian relations. “We have rich historical, economic and cultural ties, we have gained significant experience in cooperation,” he emphasized.

He noted that Tatarstan delegations visited Iran several times. Thus, in 2017, Minnikhanov visited Tehran and Mashhad and held a number of important meetings, including with the future President of Iran Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi.

Tatarstan and Iran have good experience of interregional cooperation. Over the years, representatives of the republic had a meeting with the heads of the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Khorasan-Razavi, Gilan and others. The Consulate General of Iran operates in Kazan. Kazan and Tabriz are sister cities. There is a memorandum on trade cooperation between the governments of Tatarstan and Iran. Before the pandemic, there were direct Tehran-Kazan flights.

Minnikhanov said that in different years a number of Tatarstan companies implemented their projects in Iran, including such companies as KAMAZ Automaker, Tatneft Oil Company and the Kazan Helicopter Plant. “We should look for new forms and mechanisms for cooperation. One religion, as well as historical and cultural traditions help us to better understand our Iranian partners and run a business,” Tatarstan President addressed the Iranian Ambassador.

According to Minnikhanov, a lot of work is carried out by the Russia - Islamic World Strategic Vision group, which he has been heading since 2014 having this duty imposed on him by Russian President Vladimir Putin. In November 2021, the group held its first meeting abroad, in Saudi Arabia.

Iran is represented in the organization by Secretary-General of the World Organization for the Convergence of Madhhabs Hamid Khavali Shahriyari.

Minnikhanov invited Jalali to actively develop cooperation in the Islamic banking, halal industry and Islamic education. Tatarstan President called the International Economic Summit "Russia - Islamic world: KazanSummit" one of the most important platforms for interaction, attended by Iranian delegations. This year's summit will be held on May 19-21. "We can expand the list of issues under consideration. We are expecting a large delegation from Iran, representatives of the business community. We will have a full opportunity to hold this meeting at a high level, as well as to schedule a visit of our delegation to your country. I think these topics are very important," Tatarstan President said.
He also invited the guests from Iran to participate in the big event to be held on May 21 - the celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria.
Minnikhanov briefed about the industrial and innovative potential of the republic, identifying the key sectors of the economy: oil production, oil refining, petrochemistry, engineering and agro-industrial complex.
"It is important for us to cooperate in science and education, culture, tourism and sports. A number of universities in Tatarstan and Iran have contractual relations. We have 752 Iranian students. There is an Iranian Studies Center at Kazan Federal University. There is interaction through the Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan. Iranian filmmakers regularly participate in the Kazan International Muslim Film Festival and receive awards. Concerts of Iranian music, exhibitions and Iranian cinema days are held in the republic," he said.

He said that the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is planned to be held in Kazan in June. "We will be glad to see Iranian participants and guests,” Minnikhanov added.
In his turn, Jalali said that Tatarstan is an important region for Iran. "We consider Tatarstan to be our brother. We have to work much more closely. So far, the level of our interaction does not correspond to the existing potential. These shortcomings need to be compensated. Iranian President of is well acquainted with your republic. Therefore, our government has a special view of Tatarstan today. Of course, this year we will take part in the Kazansummit. We are planning to bring our trade delegations here, my colleagues are working on these issues now," the ambassador said.

During the meeting, Minnikhanov and Jalali agreed to establish a joint working group to prepare an action plan for the development of trade and economic relations between Tatarstan and Iran.