MOSCOW, July 1 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's continuing cooperation with the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) opens new opportunities for developing relations with Muslim countries, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Friday.
Alexander Yakovenko said trade and economic relations between Russia and the leading Islamic nations were more dynamic, and political contacts had intensified.
"We welcome the interest of OIC countries in Unesco projects to develop education in Chechnya," Yakovenko said. "We expect the OIC to send observers to parliamentary elections in Chechnya, as it did during last year's presidential elections in Chechnya."
According to him, the 32nd conference of OIC Foreign Ministers held in late June in Saana (Yemen) approved Russia's status as an observer. Yakovenko said, "This will help further develop Russia's cooperation with the OIC, and also with its individual members."
