The “Russia – the Islamic World: Kazan Forum,” an International Economic Forum, commenced on Thursday in Kazan, Russia. The forum boasts the participation of 15 individuals involved in its organization and activities.
In a video address welcoming the forum participants, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed Russia’s readiness to engage in close cooperation with countries of the Islamic world, particularly those sharing identical or similar positions on crucial global issues.
“We are ready for closer cooperation with friends from the Islamic world, and with all other partners who share an interest in promoting legal and democratic principles of international life,” the Russian foreign minister added.
Lavrov explained: “Traditionally, Russia develops friendly relations with the vast majority of Muslim countries. We are united in the commitment to building cooperation between countries on the principles of equality, mutual consideration of interests, and the search for a balance of interests.”
He added: “We always support the civilizational diversity of the peoples of the world, and their natural right to define their own models and ways, and we adhere to identical or very close positions on most pressing problems of our time and cooperate fruitfully in the United Nations and other parties and multiple platforms.”
Source: Saudi Press Agenc