Putin says Islamic countries are Russia’s important partners

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s address to the session of the 'Russia-Islamic World' strategic vision group, read out by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russia is ready to coordinate efforts with Muslim countries in fighting terrorism and looking for peaceful ways to settle regional conflicts.

"Russia launched active cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation with observer status precisely 10 years ago. Since then, our friendly ties with Muslim countries have considerable strengthened," TASS cited him as saying.

According to him, Islamic countries are Russia’s important partners "in promoting dialogue between cultures, supporting variety of development paths and civilizational models."

"Russia’s history serves as a good example of the harmonious coexistence of different denominations, first of all of Christianity and Islam. Today the Islamic world is going through serious trials connected with escalation of terrorism and extremism, bloodshed and internecine wars," Putin stressed.

"This cannot but raise serious concerns for us. We are confident that the Islamic world can withstand this," he noted.

The Russian president confirmed that Russia is "ready for coordination of efforts in fighting terrorism and looking for peaceful ways of settling regional conflicts."

"I hope that the activity of the strategic vision group will help to assure the values of religious tolerance and humanism all over the world," Putin concluded.