Kazan and Tabriz became twin cities

Memorandum on establishing twin city relations between Kazan and Tabriz was signed on January 14 at Kazan City Hall.

Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin made a welcoming speech at the ceremony of signing the Memorandum. He indicated that Iran and Tatarstan have been connected by friendship ties for a long time. 1000-years-old Kazan is a business and cultural center. The capital of the republic is well-known for peaceful coexistence of different nationalities and religions.

According to the mayor’s words, Gross Regional Product (GRP) of Kazan in 2008 totaled 7.5 billion US dollars. Foreign trade turnover of the city made up 550 million dollars (60 per cent - export). In 2013 Kazan will host the Universiade with participation of over 10 thousand participants from 170 countries.

"I hope signing the Memorandum on establishing twin city relations between Kazan and Tabriz will become a new impulse for developing relations of our regions," Ilsur Metshin said.

"It is an honor to be in Kazan and Tatarstan. Representatives of authorities and business circles of Eastern Azerbaijan Province are members of our delegation," Mr. Ahmad Alireza Beygi, the Governor of the Eastern Azerbaijan province said.

According to his words, Tabriz is a hearth of four civilizations. It is the center of culture and religion, gates to east and west. The city population makes up 3.6 million people. GRP is 12 billion US dollars. There are approximately 8 thousand enterprises in the city.

"It is a pleasure to establish friendly relations with Kazan, which is situated on the crossing of Europe and Asia," the Governor said.

Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin and Mayor of Tabriz Alireza Novin signed the Memorandum.

In accordance with the Memorandum, Kazan and Tabriz will collaborate and exchange experience in the field of city-planning, city infrastructure, transportation, development of communal, technical, engineering, transportation tourism services, arrangement of green spaces, reconstruction and preservation of historical monuments, cultural heritage monuments.