NEWS

The fine arts museum presents an exhibition devoted to the 105th anniversary of the Tatar professional fine art classic - sculptor and paintor Baki Urmanche.
On March 23, it was visited by Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev. In the President's opinion, Urmanche is "the whole epoch in national art, he has left his mark not only on Tatar, but also on world art".

On March 17, a tripartite summit of the leaders of Russia, Ukraine and Moldavia devoted to the issues of economic cooperation took place in Odessa (Ukraine).
Presidents Vladimir Putin, Leonid Kuchma and Vladimir Voronin discussed the course of realization of "gas agreements", cooperation in the field of oil refining and power engineering. President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev and Director General of Tatneft Shafagat Takhautdinov took part in the meeting on the part of the Russian delegation.

Results of social and economic development of the Republic of Tatarstan in 2001 and prospects for 2002 were discussed at the expanded republican meeting on March 11. Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev called the meeting a beginning of realization of tasks set up in the annual Message of the RT President RT to the State Council.

On March 7 in the Kazan Kremlin, Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev met with US Ambassador to the RF Alexander Vershbow.
The RT President told the visitor about Tatarstan's social and economic position, actively developing business, bank system, prospects of Tatarstan-American cooperation and other things.
Later in the day Alexander Vershbow met with heads of Tatarstan religious confessions. Accroding to him, Tatarstan can really serve an example of tolerance and peaceful co-existence of different ethnic groups and religious confessions for the entire world.

The best women of Tatarstan and Tatar Diaspora were met with flowers and songs on March 6 in the Big Concert Hall of Kazan. They were invited to the traditional meeting with President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev devoted to the International women's day.
Also participating in the meeting were spouse of the RT President Sakina Shaimieva and spouse of the US Ambassador in Moscow Lisa Vershbow.

President of the Republic of Tatarstan M.Shaimiev congratulated the people of the republic on Kurban-Bairam.

Mintimer Shaimiev supports introduction of alternative service, but considers it necessary to approach the issue carefully. "I support it for one simple reason. Today our republic successfully drafts for military service no more than 30 % of citizens subject to conscription. Others find various reasons to evade it or are exempt from conscription", he told the Interfax.

February 14, Moscow - Russian President Vladimir Putin carried out negotiations with Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chretien who leads the delegation of 300 Canadian politicians and businessmen on official visit to Moscow. President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev also took part in bilateral negotiations. Use of Canadian avionics and engines in helicopter production in Tatarstan was mentioned among the examples of successful bilateral cooperation.

On February 5-6, President of Tatarstan M.Shaimiev took part in the work of the Commission on differentiation of powers and competences between the federal centre and regions headed by deputy head of the Administration of the Russian President Dmitry Kozak and also carried a number of working meetings, in particular with RF Minister of Finance Alexei Kudrin, Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov.

Improvement of physical health of the rising generation in the republic has been a priority objective for Tatarstan leadership, President Shaimiev told Interfax.