3 April 2003
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Shaimiev Visits Izhevsk, Signs Friendship Treaty
Tatar President Mintimer Shaimiev and Udmurt President Aleksandr Volkov signed a friendship-and-cooperation treaty in Izhevsk, Udmurtiya, on 2 April, RFE/RL's Kazan bureau reported the same day. The two presidents told reporters after the signing that the treaty represented an amendment to a 1992 treaty that was adjusted to meet the new economic and political reality in Russia. While in the city, Shaimiev also visited the Neftemash factory, which supplies Tatneft with drilling equipment, and he met with about 600 members of Unified Russia to discuss the party's platform.
Turkish Consul Hints At Increase In Gas Imports
Turkish Consul-General in Kazan Ismail Sefa Yujeer said on 2 April that Turkey plans to increase its annual oil imports from Tatarstan from 2.5 million tons to 4.5 million-5 million tons, Tatar-inform reported on 2 April. The agency said that this move could increase annual bilateral trade turnover from $10 million to $600 million-$700 million.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi