MOSCOW, October 24./TASS/. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) remains committed to the development of relations with Russia at all levels, the organization’s Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha said at talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday.

"Let me once again express gratitude to you, Mister Minister, as well as state our commitment to the further development of relations between our organization and Russia," Hissein Brahim Taha said.

"Russia is a very important partner for us, since it is an observer in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. This is another occasion for us now to declare our desire to further develop our relations at all levels," he stressed.

Russia is an old friend of the organization and of the entire Islamic world, the secretary general noted. "When we met in June, the situation was different, more complicated, but now we can say that the world is slowly beginning to realize what is going on, and I think that it is the perfect moment for us now to clearly express our friendship towards Russia and the need to further develop our relations," he stressed.

"Islamic countries rely and pin hopes on Russia, on its support. Russia is a friendly country for us, for the entire Islamic world. I heard an address of your president [Vladimir Putin], where he also called the countries of the Islamic world friendly. And I hope that we can reaffirm our mindset and develop it even more," Taha summed up.