Russian FM goes to Damascus for OIC ministerial meeting

The status of an observer in the OIC, granted to Russia in June 2005, was a powerful impetus for Moscow to develop and strengthen relations with the world Muslim community,? Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko told Itar-Tass on the eve of the visit. ?The opening of Russia? s permanent mission at the OIC office in Jiddah in 2008 reflected our growing cooperation with the OIC.? The Russian Foreign Ministry official expressed the hope that the presence of the chief Russian diplomat at the OIC ministerial-level meeting will herald another important step towards deeper relations of friendship and cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world.? The schedule of Sergei Lavrov?s visit to Damascus envisages a number of bilateral meetings with counterparts from Muslim countries on the sidelines of the forum, including his consultations with OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. Alongside participation in the OIC foreign ministers? meeting Lavrov will make a working visit to Damascus and hold talks with the Syrian leadership ? Foreign Minister Walid Muallem and President Bashar Assad; Kazinform cites ITAR-TASS. See www.itar-tass.com for full version