Ilsur Metshin met with the delegation of the Republic of Iran

(KZN.RU, February 20, Mikhail Chentsov). Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, met today with the delegation of the Republic of Iran led by Alavi Moghaddam Seyed Mojtaba, the deputy governor of the province of Southern Khorasan. The parties discussed the prospects for cooperation in the spheres of culture and tourism between the capital of Tatarstan and Iran within the framework of the roundtable, which was held in the City Hall.

Ilsur Metshin greeted the guests and noted that Kazan and Tatarstan highly appreciate the friendly and close relations that connect them with the Republic of Iran. “Despite the fact that the distance between our region and your country is quite large, 3.5 thousand kilometers, we are united by much more – our religion, culture, traditions”, said the Mayor.

He also noted that Kazan is a multinational city, on the territory of which representatives of over 100 peoples live. According to Ilsur Metshin, the defining feature in the life of the city is the peaceful, creative coexistence of representatives of various faiths and nationalities. Partly due to this, the tourist flow to the capital of Tatarstan grew almost 5 times in 10 years and amounted to 2 million 700 thousand people last year.

“We hope that the large-scale events held in Kazan from year to year will attract Iranians as guests and they will like our city”, said Ilsur Metshin. He also reminded that the Iranian team will hold its second match in the World Cup on June 20 in the capital of Tatarstan. “Serdar Azmun, the leader of the attack of your team, is the leading forward of the “Rubin” so the whole Kazan will be rooting for Iran”, said Ilsur Metshin and invited all Iranian fans to visit the championship.

Alavi Moghaddam Seyed Mojtaba thanked the Mayor of Kazan for the reception. “Despite the cold weather outside, we are warm thanks to your hospitality”, he noted. The deputy governor informed Ilsur Metshin that the province of Southern Khorasan is one of the largest regions of Iran, on the territory of which a large number of historical objects are located. Therefore, the cooperation with Kazan in the field of culture and tourism is especially important for the Iranian side.

Jawid Mohammad Ali, the Mayor of Birjand, the capital of the province of South Khorasan, also was part of the Iranian delegation. According to Mr. Mohammad Ali, there is much in common between the capitals. “More than 250 thousand people live in our city, of which 60 thousand students. Birjand is known in Iran as the cleanest city in the country. It's all thanks to the culture of our residents”, he shared some facts about his city. Ilsur Metshin noted that Kazan welcomes mutually beneficial cooperation and development of relations.

The head of the capital of Tatarstan also urged the Iranian side to intensify the work on establishing a direct flight communication between the capital of Tatarstan and one of the cities of Iran.

At the end of the meeting, the parties exchanged symbolic gifts and made a picture.

Evgenia Lodvigova, the deputy head of the Kazan Municipality, Damir Fattakhov, the first deputy head of the Executive Committee, Ildar Shakirov, the deputy head of the Executive Committee responsible for transport, economic development, and trade, and a number of representatives of the Iranian delegation also took part in the meeting.