Mintimer Shaimiev proposed to hold conference on issues of inter-confessional consent in Tatarstan

In conditions of civilized development each nation demands respect, President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev stated at a session of strategic vision group «Russia - the Islamic world». Mintimer Shaimiev considers that state and public figures who take part in the conference are united today by the alarm regarding condition of dialogue between civilizations.

He noted: that such a conference being staged in Moscow is remarkable, because in years of atheism it was impossible. President of Tatarstan emphasized, that the final document produced during a forum will be directed to the United Nations Organization and other international public organizations.

«I think, that this dialogue needs to be continued in any form so that further to find mutual understanding», - Mintimer Shaimiev said. He emphasized, that participants of conference highly estimated experience of Tatarstan in issues interethnic and inter-confessional consent and in many respects share approaches of the republic. Tatarstan President expressed hope, that the started dialogue would proceed in the republic and suggested to hold a similar conference in Kazan at the end of August, 2006.

Answering a question on ways of combating acts of extremism, Mintimer Shaimiev emphasized, that today for settling this problem efforts of all international community are required. «The main thing - to understand necessity of this struggle and skill to find the consent. The extremism begins where there is no mutual understanding, therefore it is necessary to search for its reasons, using any opportunities for open dialogue», - Tatarstan President considers. He noted, that the main idea which had sounded in the reports of all participants of the conference was a necessity of respect for each nation, its religion and traditions. In conditions of globalization each nation can independently find ways of familiarizing with world values without dictatorship and pressure, he noticed. In opinion of President of Tatarstan only on the basis of mutual understanding and respect it is possible to avoid tension in relations between the peoples and civilizations. As he said, it is a long and uneasy way , but «no other way is given». In conditions of civilized development each nation demands respect to itself, Mintimer Shaimiev emphasized.