MAKHACHKALA (TASS) — Moscow places great importance on cooperation with Muslim countries, according to a greetings message by Russian President Vladimir Putin to participants of the 4^th meeting of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group in Makhachkala, which was conveyed by Tatarstan’s President Rustam Minnikhanov.

In his speech, the Russian leader pointed out:

The Russian Federation considers it hugely important to foster friendly ties with Muslim countries both at a bilateral level and within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Our positions are rather close regarding many urgent issues on the global and regional agenda. We jointly favour the creation of a fair and democratic world order, based on rule of law, and free of any forms of biased strong-arm dictates or economic and information pressure.

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Moscow and countries of the Islamic World have constructive economic, scientific and technical and humanitarian cooperation, as well as partnership in settling local conflicts and crisis situations. The current meeting of the group is dedicated to a very serious problem, which is combating terrorism and extremist ideology by working with young people, and coordinating efforts in the areas of education and enlightenment.

The Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group was set up in 2006 under the leadership of Russian statesman and diplomat Yevgeny Primakov, and Tatarstan’s First President Mintimer Shaimiev after Russia had joined the OIC as an observer. The Group is made up of 33 well-known public figures from 27 countries, including ex-prime ministers, foreign ministers, and grand religious scholars from Indonesia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia Iran, Kuwait and other states. President Minnikhanov is chairman of the Group, whose meeting is being held in Dagestan this year.