Unlike diplomatic envoys of other Arab countries, the Qatari Ambassador visited Kazan for the first time. According to Rustam Minnikhanov, Tatarstan has built extensive contacts with Kuwait, the Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. The meeting with Ahmed Saif Al-Midadi is a good opportunity to establish relations with one more Middle East partner.

However, Mr. Minnikhanov is sure that trade and economic contacts between the two countries should be extended to a new level before Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani could visit Kazan. The International Festival of Muslim Cinema «Golden Minbar», the mutual cooperation with the Religious Board of Muslims with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and several social and religious organizations have been the only points of contact for the present. Rustam Minnikhanov suggested organizing a business mission exchange in order to get acquainted with opportunities and prospects of this cooperation.

Government of Tatarstan did not change their strategy after the resignation of Shaimiev: "We are keenly interested in developing relations between Tatarstan and other Islamic countries, Arab countries in particular”, Rustam Minnikhanov said and reminded that since 1990s Tatarstan had been actively engaged into international activity with Islamic and Arab countries.

The republic has close contacts with many international Muslim organizations, such as Organisation of the Islamic Conference, Islamic Development Bank, The Islamic World Academy of Sciences, etc. At the end of June the Second International Islamic Business and Finance Summit will take place in Kazan.

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