Events

Grigory Karasin: Promoting ties with the Muslim countries enjoys substantial support from the Russian public opinion

As part of the International Economic Summit “Russia-Islamic World: KazanSummit 2022,” Grigory Karasin attended the meeting of foreign ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary in Russia.


Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin attended the meeting of foreign ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary in Russia during the International Economic Summit “Russia-Islamic World: KazanSummit 2022.”

The Senator noted that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is second to the UN international inter-regional association, uniting over 50 Islamic states.

“Its very existence emphasises the reality of a multipolar world based on the principles of civilisational and cultural diversity, mutual respect, tolerance and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states,” he said.

Grigory Karasin emphasised that Russia’s relations with the Islamic World have a centuries-long history.

“We have amassed unique experience in communication between civilisations and cultures over many centuries. Symbolically, our meeting is taking place during the celebration of the 1,100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria. This event largely determined the emergence of a unique civilisation in Russia. It embodies a synthesis of the best traditions and practices of the West and the East,” he said.

The Senator observed that promoting ties with the Muslim countries is something that enjoys substantial support from the Russian public, including representatives of the Islamic peoples of Russia. “The Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group plays a big role in strengthening our relations with the Islamic World. It was established with the approval of President of Russia Vladimir Putin, and is headed by President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov,” he said.

Grigory Karasin said the Group is a successful and prestigious platform for developing dialogue between representatives of different peoples, religions and cultures. It is focused on preserving civilisational diversity, protecting the traditions of tolerance, accord and mutual respect among representatives of different states. The KazanSummit International Economic Forum reveals the efficiency of this group. It has become a real bridge for developing relations between Russia and the Islamic World. It is a venue for communication and an exchange of experience between state figures, experts and entrepreneurs from Russia and the OIC countries.

“Today, the foundations of the multipolar world that is taking shape are being subjected to a severe test. The Western countries decided to roll the dice in fighting Russia. They started deliberately undermining the system of international relations, which took shape after World War II. NATO’s limitless eastward expansion and the refusal to consider Russia’s vital security interests triggered the crisis in Ukraine,” Grigory Karasin said.

He noted that the West had renounced the values that it had promoted abroad as samples of government and social arrangement. It undermined the “sacred” status of private property with the arbitrary freezing of private persons’ assets. The principles of freedom of speech and political pluralism are being discredited by growing censorship, in part, in the social media. Dissent is suppressed, including by the secret services.

“The crisis in Ukraine shows the futility of attempts to impose a unipolar world order on the international community under which Washington makes all the decisions. The practice of imposing illegal sanctions on Russian citizens, rabid Russophobia and attempts to impose a policy of isolating Russia on independent states are suffering defeat,” the Senator said.

 “We are grateful to the countries of the Islamic World for their rejection of Washington’s pressure and refusal to follow in the wake of the collective West that is staging a campaign of sanctions pressure on Russia. Today, our relations with the Islamic World are developing into a mutually beneficial partnership. Therefore, we are willing to work jointly on expanding and deepening them,” Grigory Karasin emphasised.

The Senator expressed confidence that expanded cooperation between Russia and the Islamic World meets the interests of all nations and states in the world. It facilitates the creation of a polycentric world order and helps reduce the potential for conflict in the world.