A delegation from the Empire State is making a trip across Russia on September 13th – 21st.

The team is headed by Assemblyman Luis R. Sepulveda and comprises his colleagues Amy Paulin, Pamela Harris, Michael Fitzpatrick, William Barclay, and others. Before arriving to the University they met with President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Chairman of the State Council of Tatarstan Farid Mukhametshin, and Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin. Tatarstani officials and academics joined the meeting at KFU, among them Deputy of the State Council Marat Galeev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Valeev, Deputy Minister of the Economy Bulat Khaziakhmetov, Chairman of the Tatarstan Committee on Tourism Sergey Ivanov, Human Rights Commissioner of Tatarstan Sariya Saburskaya, Business Rights Commissioner of Tatarstan Timur Nagumanov, and representatives of leading Tatarstani universities. The discussion was moderated by Vice-Rector Linar Latypov.

As Marat Galeev reminded the audience, New York State Assembly and State Council of Tatarstan signed a memorandum of understanding in 2010, and American guests visited Tatarstan in 2011. During this present visit an agreement was reached to create workgroups on various issues, including student exchange, small businesses, and technology transfer. He specifically mentioned that federal-level sanctions are not an obstacle for cooperation on a province-to-province level. Vice-Rector Latypov was of the same opinion and invited the visitors to ask any questions that they might deem necessary.

Assemblyman Sepulveda concurred and emphasized that there is much to be done in terms of business and academic ties. Assemblymen and assemblywomen did not shy away from inquiring about the state of affairs in Tatarstan, among them rights of minorities, drug abuse prevention, trade unions, and student associations. The business side of talks touched upon agriculture, IT, and tourism. Naturally, many proposals were put forth in educational cooperation, including dance studies, academic exchange, and social sciences.

In conclusion, Dr. Latypov and Assemblyman Sepulveda exchanged gifts.