OIC and Russia sign cooperation agreement

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has signed a framework agreement for cooperation with Russia. Secretary General Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu met the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow this week. The agreement covers political, social, economic, scientific and technical development. It also provides for regular consultations between the two parties.

After the meeting, Lavrov presided over a ceremony at which he presented Dr İhsanoğlu with the Foreign Ministry Medal for his contribution towards international cooperation. Lavrov expressed his gratitude towards İhsanoğlu for his dedication and his continuing efforts to strengthen relations between the OIC and the Russian Federation.

During the working lunch, the two men discussed the various regional issues and exchanged views on issues of common concern, affirming their commitment to strengthen bilateral links in the future.

During his visit to Moscow, the Secretary General also met with Dr Alexander Torshin, the First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federal Council (Russia’s parliament), and the vice president, Elias Omakhanov. Both thanked the OIC head for his efforts to facilitate Russia’s observer status within the Islamic organisation in 2005.

Before leaving Moscow, Dr İhsanoğlu met with his counterpart from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Dmitry Mezentsev. Bilateral relations between the two organisations were discussed and it was suggested that regular dialogue is initiated.

On Wednesday, the OIC Secretary General arrived in the Republic of Tatarstan to address the Russian Federation economic summit and meet with President Rustam Minnikhanov.