Tatarstan President met with Afghanistan Ambassador to Russia

Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev has received Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in the Russian Federation, Zalmay Aziz in Kazan Kremlin.

The following officials has taken part in this meeting: from Afghanistan – Councilor of Afghanistan Embassy to RF Gulamsakhi Gayrat, from Tatarstan – State Councilor to RT President on international affairs – Director of RT President’s Department of International Contacts Timur Akulov, RT Minister of Trade and External Economic Cooperation Khafiz Salikhov, Chairman of the Council of Religious Affairs under RT Cabinet of Ministers Renat Nabiev, Rector of Russian Islamic University Rafik Moukhametshin and others.

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Afghanistan to Russia, Zalmay Aziz arrived in Kazan on June 19. He participates in the events within the framework of the IX World Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. It is envisaged that the diplomat will meet with representatives of Afghan diaspora in Kazan and attend Tatar national holiday Sabantuy on June 23.

Mintimer Shaimiev assured the Afghan Ambassador that Tatarstan will make its contribution to development of cooperation between Russia and Afghanistan. ‘For certain, it won’t be a quick process, but I think that certain steps in this direction should be done,’ Tatarstan President emphasized. Issues of trade and economic cooperation, development in humanities field were also discussed on the meeting.

It’s worth mentioning that Afghanistan became one of the largest foreign consumers of KAMAZ production in 1980’s. Tatarstan rendered humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in 2002 when it sent 100 tons of sugar there. Protocols on intentions on cooperation between JSC KAMAZ and Afghanistan Government were signed in March 2002. Over 1 thousand KAMAZ tracks are at the disposal of Afghanistan authorities at present. Private owners have approximately 5 thousand trucks. More than 2400 units of KAMAZ will be demanded by Afghanistan in the upcoming 3-3.5 years.