Mintimer Shaimiev, ‘We have strong aspiration for all-round cooperation with Byelorussia’

Tatarstan president Mintimer Shaimiev met in his official residence in Kremlin with chairman of Byelorussian Parliament lower chamber, Vladimir Konoplev.

During the meeting Mintimer Shaimiev underlined that Tatarstan has a strong aspiration for all-round cooperation with Byelorussia. “In the changing conditions we will search for more integration forms for our economics”, - he said. – We respect Byelorussian people who overcame all difficulties with dignity. I have no doubts that it will lead its country to one row with developed countries”.

RT President was also sure that during Vladimir Konoplev’s visit to Kazan the inter-parliament links between Tatarstan and Byelorussia will become stronger. There will be meeting of Byelorussian guest with RT Chairman of State Council, Farid Moukhametshin. The day before there was 3 hours meeting of Vladimir Konoplev with RT Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov. “I guess you had an opportunity to change opinions, -said Mintimer Shaimiev. – If there is necessity we will formalize protocol commissions”.

Tatarstan President also underlined the importance of cultural links. He reminded, that Social Organization of Byelorussians “Heritage” have been existing in our Republic for five years. Its representatives greeted Byelorussian President during Millennium in Kazan. This organization also found Kazan citizens, who took part in Byelorussia’s liberation in WWII.

After meeting with Tatarstan President Vladimir Konoplev and RT chairman of State Council Alexander Gusev answered the journalists’ questions. According to Konoplev, he is for the third time in Tatarstan. “For the first time I was in Nurlatsky region, for the second time I came with Byelorussian President during Kazan’s Millennium and now it is a working visit. Your Republic is really attractive. But its main point of interest is its people. I am glad that we have a lot of in common in the level of economy and in social programs”.

Alexander Gusev in his turn pointed out that the visit of such an important official delegacy couldn’t be one-sided. That’s why besides the questions about inter-parliament cooperation, they discussed the issues of economic of the relationships between Tatarstan and Byelorussia. “The most important thing for us is mutual integration, - he underlined. – Today Tatarstan is interested in the production, produced in Byelorussia”.