MOSCOW, July 2 (RIA Novosti) - Moscow sees Russia's newly acquired status of an observer in the OIC (Organization for the Islamic Conference) as recognition of successful co-existence of various confessions in Russia by Islamic nations, reads the Foreign Ministry statement."Moscow was satisfied to learn about this decision, which is an essential step towards implementing President Putin's initiative to expand cooperation with the Islamic world," the statement says.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the status "opens new opportunities for dynamic and consistent development of Russia's relations with Moslem countries, including in solving pressing international and regional issues, and forming a stable, fair, and secure world order."
According to the document, Russia's participation in OIC activities will help the international community build partnership between civilizations and prevent a split based on the religious reasons.
"Such partnership between cultures and religions is designed to consolidate the international community in the fight against terrorism, and other global threats and challenges of the 21st century. Russia and the Islamic world are not mere partners but also allies," the Foreign Ministry statement says.
Russia received the status of an observer in the OIC at the concluding session of the 32nd conference of OIC Foreign Ministers in Saana (Yemen) on Thursday, June 30.
