Playing geopolitics: Medvedev reiterates importance of ties with Islamic world

Medvedev reiterates importance of ties with Islamic world

Moscow is set to expand dialogue with the Muslim world, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday.

Medvedev made his comments in a message to the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group forum in Kuwait.

"Your activity helps form a joint alternative to radicalism and extremism which has neither religious nor national identity," the Russian leader said, adding that the forum contributed to the "establishment of harmonious relations between representatives of different cultures and confessions."

"As an observer at the Organization of the Islamic Conference [since 2005], Russia is firmly set to expand further its constructive dialogue with the Islamic world," Medvedev said.

He also expressed hope that the active cooperation would make it possible to establish a fairer system of international relations and to help settle global and regional conflicts.

Established in 2006 by Russia and the 18 member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Strategic Vision Group consists of senior representatives of both parties and meets annually. MOSCOW, December 21 (RIA Novosti)