Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev met with deputies of Great Britain Parliament House of Commons

Meeting of Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev with the delegation of Great Britain Parliament House of Commons headed by the secretary of Inter-party British-Russian Parliament Group Robert Waring has taken place in Kazan Kremlin on April 3. Issues of inter-confessional and international agreement, economic and political development of Tatarstan were discussed on the meeting. Participants paid particular attention to the topic of American-Iranian relations and the situation with the detained British sailors.

Mintimer Shaimiev greeted the guests and thanked them for the visit and interest shown to our republic. He informed the delegation about political and economic development of Tatarstan in details. According to M.Shaimiev’s words, social order couldn’t and cannot happen at once. He added that a positive example of European countries allowed Russia to follow the way democratization briskly.

“Russia is a multinational country; many native peoples live there; that’s why federative structure is the only way of development for our country, - RT President stated. – Many nations have their own traditions, language, and culture. They cannot be “washed out” by another culture. Cultures only mutually supplement each other”.

Mintimer Shaimiev pointed out that 100% of gasification was carried out in the republic. The unique program of tumbledown housing liquidation has been realized. According to his words, particular attention is given to development of middle and small business.

“Our main success is inter-confessional and international agreement. We appreciate it, - the head of the republic stated with conviction. – Very complicated processes are taking place in the world at present. I think, that time and tolerance are needed in order to hear each other. Openness of the world and common informational space do their bit. Common grounds appear”.

The head of the delegation and a representative of the Labour Party Robert Wareing thanked Mintimer Shaimiev for the opportunity to visit Tatarstan. The British parliamentarian noted that Tatarstan demonstrates an example of economy diversification as it develops car manufacturing, aviation, and other perspective science intensive fields.

Deputy of the Conservative Party David Ruffley confessed that “atmosphere of civilized optimism” made a great impression on him. Mr. Ruffley showed interest in development of banking and foreign investment attraction. Mintimer Shaimiev indicated that “quite a solid banking system has been created” in the republic in recent years. Besides, Mintimer Shaimiev informed British guests that the EBRD’s Annual Meeting will take place in Kazan in May of the current year.

Labourite Joseph Benton addressed Mintimer Shaimiev with the request to render assistance in solving the situation with English sailors who were detained in Iran. Mintimer Shaimiev gave a diplomatic answer to this question: “The position of the Russian Federation is very important in this case. But for sure any such event puts us on guard. People of any state mustn’t suffer from politics”.

Mintimer Shaimiev also added that the world public “is very worried about the last statements of the American administration about possible bombarding of Iran”. “Only mutual understanding and tolerance can maintain peace,” – Tatarstan leader expressed his opinion.

The youngest member of the British delegation conservative Gregory Barker opened a serious subject of national identity of peoples living on the territory of one state. According to him, multi-culture conception assessment has changed a bit in Great Britain. “Our politics is directed towards integration in order our citizens considered themselves as the British than as representatives of different nationalities,” – he said.

“An attempt to make people similar was made at all times – it is an attractive, but unreal idea,” – Mintimer Shaimiev indicated. Globalization influences small states and nationalities. The President repeated that only federative – not unitary model of the state structure can be acceptable in Russia.

In conclusion Robert Wareing on behalf of the delegation expressed gratitude to Tatarstan President for the extraordinary interesting and fruitful conversation.