UN Official Impressed by Kazan Forum, Moscow's Atmosphere

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Angel Moratinos told TASS in an interview that he was very impressed by the Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum international economic forum and by the lively atmosphere in Moscow.

"We spent two and a half days [in Kazan]. It was an extremely successful forum. I was very much impressed by the whole organizational setting, the substantive discussion focusing on the Russian Federation and the Islamic World. <...> It was my first visit to Kazan, and I hope it won’t be my last because, geographically speaking, I think Kazan can play an important role of putting together all kind of community resources and different sensitivities. <…> [It was] very, very impressive," he noted. "Of course, Moscow is very lively, very dynamic. We will continue to try to reinforce our relationship," the senior UN official emphasized.

Moratinos added that he took the opportunity to speak with Muslim religious leaders in Russia, as he also serves as the UN Special Envoy on Combating Islamophobia. "We had a geopolitical discussion, economic and financial discussion with them. It was, for me, the last day, a very impressive plenary session, with more than 1, 000 Muftis and Imams from Russia and some countries around. When you see in front of you practically 2, 000 people, this very strong message of peace, understanding, and living together, is very, very important. So, of course, Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan [Rustam Minnikhanov] was extremely positive. We decided that we will continue to work together," he noted.