Mintimer Shaimiev: «Tatarstan is interested in development of business partnership with Belgium, first of all in the field of high technologies»

Today President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev has received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kingdom Belgium to Russian Federation Vincent Mertens De Williams.

The head of republic appreciated level of development of democracy in this West-European country, having noted, that in Belgium which is a federative state with complex structure as constitutional parliamentary monarchy, democracy exists in one of the most attractive forms. «In your country, - RT President noted, addressing to the Belgian diplomat, - the most democratic form of interaction is found between people of different nationalities, a formula of consent, from my point of view, close to ideal». The fact, that Belgium successfully is developing a competitive economy, being for today one of the most advanced states of the world should cause admiration, Mintimer Shaimiev noted. Such examples, the leader of Tatarstan emphasized, in the world are not too much.

Tatarstan is interested in developing mutually advantageous relations with Belgium, first of all in the field of high technologies, Mintimer Shaimiev emphasized in conversation with Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of this country to the Russian Federation.

Upon ending of a meeting the Belgian diplomat and State Advisor to RT President on international affairs - Director of Department of Foreign Affairs of RT President Timur Akulov answered the questions of journalists. Vincent Mertens De Williams noted, that it is his first, acquaintance visit to Kazan and the first meeting with President of Republic Tatarstan. At a meeting with the head of republic, the diplomat informed, the parties discussed political and economic aspects of development between Belgium and Tatarstan. «We have emphasized economic cooperation between Belgium and Tatarstan, and touched the issues regarding preparation of official visit of crown prince of Belgium Phillip who is to arrive in the republic heading business delegation at the end of June, 2006», - Vincent Mertens De Williams said .

State Advisor to RT President on international affairs - Director of Department of Foreign Affairs of RT President Timur Akulov informed representatives of mass-media, that Mintimer Shaimiev stated a wish about opening of Representation of Tatarstan in Belgium. The level of cooperation of our republic with Belgium now is insufficiently high, T.Akulov said. Opening of representation in the centre of Europe - Belgium - will enable to expand, as he said, cooperation of Tatarstan not only with this country, but also with the European Union as a whole. Timur Akulov informed also journalists about rather symbolical gift, which Belgian Ambassador presented during a today's meeting to RT President - shares of Belgian gas-electric company which had worked in the Kazan province dated 1893. «We hope, that wider cooperation will begin from this sign gift between Belgium and our republic», - T.Akulov noted .
He also informed, that visit of representatives of Commercial and industrial chamber of Belgium to Tatarstan is planned in October, 2006. "We hope, that these two visits – by prince Phillip in June and envoys of CCI of Belgium in autumn this year - will open new "corridor" for cooperation with Belgium”, - Timur Akulov stated .