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Moscow satisfied with Organization of Islamic Cooperation observer status, says diplomat

Russia has no plans of joining the Organization of Islamic Cooperation

MAKHACHKALA, November 12. /TASS/. Russia has no plans of joining the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) where it holds observer status, Russian Ambassador-at-Large Konstantin Shuvalov told TASS on Monday.

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"The issue of raising Russia’s status in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is not considered essential, since under the organization’s charter it admits states with a Muslim majority population," said Shuvalov, who is also Russia’s Special Envoy for Cooperation with organizations of Islamic states.

"Based on this principle, Russia is not eligible but we do maintain cooperation that is of interest for us as an observer nation, and this suits us very well and helps solve the tasks of bringing (our) positions closer," the diplomat said.

"There is ongoing political dialogue that helps expand bilateral cooperation with certain Muslim states. We believe that we achieve our goals and work within the existing framework," Shuvalov went on to say.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation is an international organization that was set up in 1969. Until June 2011, its name had been the Organization of the Islamic Conference. The OIC is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The highest governing body - the Conference of Kings, Heads of State and Government is convened every three years. At present, the OIC brings together 57 states, and Russia has had observer status since 2005.

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