Rustam Minnikhanov: At its level Tatarstan takes an active part in strengthening Russia-Emirates relations

On 21 February in the Kazan Kremlin the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov had a meeting with the Minister of Education of the UAE, Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, who is also the Chairman of the UAE General Authority of Sports, who arrived to Kazan to take part in the events of the Games of the Future.

Speaking at the meeting Rustam Minikhanov thanked the Minister for participation in the opening ceremony of the Games of the Future and passed many thanks to the President of the UAE His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for attention attached to the development of cooperation with Tatarstan within the framework of Russia-Emirates relations. “We have known each other for many years and can feel his constant support,” he said.

He stated that ties between Russia and the UAE in economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres are expanding and at its level Tatarstan takes an active part in strengthening Russia-Emirates relations. Visits of Tatarstan delegations to the Investments Forum and the IDEX International Exhibition in the UAE have become a good tradition, while representatives of the Emirates in their turn regularly take part in the KazanForum, he said

“We attach big importance to interaction with the Islamic world and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. I am the head of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia-Islamic World” and can see how great the interest of Islamic world to Russia and of Russia to the Islamic world is,” Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized.

He also said that Russia pays great attention to the development of the Islamic financial model and Tatarstan has become one of pilot regions in introduction of the partnership-based banking and financing. “Active work is done in development of Halal industry and in these issues we also interact with our colleagues from the UAE,” the Rais of the republic said.

He also said that there is a great potential in development of Islamic education and informed that last year the Director General of the Emirates Foundation for School Education Mohammed Al-Qasim visited the International Forum of Ministers of Education in Kazan as its Honorary Guest.

Rustam Minnikhanov also informed the Emirates Minister about BRICS events to be held in Kazan this year.

In his turn Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi passed Rustam Minnikhanov words of greetings from the President of the UAE and stated the strategic character of cooperation with Russia.

He thanked for inviting him to the ceremony of opening the International Multi-sports Tournament “The Games of the Future”. “We see how much attention is given to the development of sports in Russia. The Games of the Future are a new format, combining real and virtual sports. Today it is highly interesting and in demand,” Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi emphasized.

He also stated the growing cooperation with Russia in the sphere of education, in particular the Russian University, opening of which in UAE is under consideration now