Tatarstan and France: the relations of new quality

At the end of November 2016, the delegation of the Republic of Tatarstan had 2-days working visit to France, headed by the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. Traditionally, the Head of the Republic is accompanied by the Head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Taliya Minullina.

During the first day, the meeting with the representatives of the Tatar community was held on the territory of Russian Embassy in France. In his welcoming address, the Head of the Republic thanked everyone for the opportunity to meet, as well as for caring about preservation of traditions, culture and language of the Tatar people. He reported that while paying visits to different countries of the world, he always meets the activists of Tatar community, exchanges views on the question of preservation the Tatar language away from the historical homeland.

On November 30, in the framework of «Russia-France» business forum the Head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Taliya Minullina presented the investment potential of the region. Moreover, the delegation of Tatarstan held a number of negotiations with top-management of French companies, the Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova, as well as the President of the Senate of France.

It should be mentioned, that cooperation between France and the Republic of Tatarstan is flourishing. According to the results of 2015 foreign trade turnover between Tatarstan and France equaled 158 million euro. Tatarstan Plenipotentiary representative office in Paris is operating over 20 years, while in Kazan, the Honorary Consul is working, Visa Application center is functioning and the Organization «Alliance Francaise» carries out cultural and educational activities.

«French companies are actively investing in the Republic of Tatarstan. Today, such companies as Air Liquide, Schneider Electric, Leroy Merlin, Decathlon, Auchan and others are operating on the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan. Once again this confirms the fact, that the best conditions for investment are represented in Tatarstan precisely. We have agreements on new projects and we will work on it», — the head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Taliya Minullina pointed out.