Mr Putin confirmed Russia’s intention to join the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. He said 20 million Muslims living in Russia had the right to feel fully integrated in the Islamic world.
The President said at the first stage Russia planned to join the OIC as an observer, and was ready to undertake financial obligations necessary to enter the organisation.
Mr Popov told the President about the response to Russia’s move: the CIS countries, six of which are members of the OIC, supported Russia’s accession to the organisation. Other Muslim countries also responded to the move positively.
In October, Russia will participate in an OIC summit in Malaysia as an observer.