Rustam Minnikhanov: We appreciate our relationship with Iran

On April 29, at his meeting with Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran to Russia Mehdi Sanai at the Kazan Kremlin, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that Tatarstan and Iran have established warm relations, but the parties should look at the prospects of further expansion of trade and economic cooperation more closely.

Welcoming Mehdi Sanai, Rustam Minnikhanov first of all congratulated him on taking the office of the Ambassador of Iran to Russia. According to Tatarstan President, Mehdi Sanai have visited Tatarstan several times and is well known in the the republic. "I hope that cooperation between Iran and Tatarstan will progress," R.Minnikhanov said.

He stressed that the regional leadership appreciates relationship with Iran within the framework of the Russian-Iranian relations and noted the great role of the Consulate General of Iran in Kazan.

Rustam Minnikhanov noted that despite warm and friendly relations between Tatarstan and Iran, the economic cooperation has not been developed well yet. "We need to look closely at the areas in which we can increase the volume of our trade turnover. We are interested in promoting our products to Iran and at the same time we want Iranian products to be delivered to the republic," Tatarstan President said.

Mehdi Sanai, in his turn, said that the Iranian side is interested in developing trade and economic relations with Russia in general and Tatarstan in particular. According to the Ambassador, Tatarstan and Iran have many prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Tatarstan Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Industry and Trade Ravil Zaripov, Aide to Tatarstan President on international issues Radik Gimatdinov, Minister of Culture Airat Sibagatullin, Chairman of State Council Committee for Culture, Science, Education and National Issues Razil Valeev, President of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences Akhmet Mazgarov, Chairman of Tatarstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Shamil Ageev took part in the meeting.