Contacts with Iran well-grounded

Receiving a delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran led by Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Seyed Sadeg Harrazi in the Kazan Kremlin, Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev called recent contacts between Tatarstan and Iran the beginning of revival of fruitful bilateral cooperation.

We are aware of the need for cooperation, the President noted, now it is necessary to start actual activity, as it has already been done in oil-producing sector.

For example, Tatarstan scientists could receive access to the richest materials, ancient manuscripts of Iran's archives. Iranian scientists have already begun working with the books in Persian and Arabian from the Kazan State University library. Consolidation of cultural contacts, in opinion of the Tatarstan leader, would be also promoted by creation of the Tatarstan-Iranian cultural society on the base of the universities of our republics.

Mister Harrazi gave Mintimer Shaimiev the best regards on behalf of the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He emphasized that for Iran Kazan was always the verge through which it developed relations with other countries and regions. The Iranian party expressed willingness to take active part in preparation for Kazan's 1000-th anniversary celebration and supported the idea to revive book-printing in the Arabian language in Tatarstan.

After the meeting Seyed Sadeg Harrazi and Kazan mayor Kamil Iskhakov signed a protocol on cooperation, stating the main joint activities for the coming five years.