Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence on Friday that the BRICS+ International Forum of Cities hosted by the Russian city of Kazan will help launch new promising initiatives.
"I cordially welcome the participants of the BRICS Plus International Forum of Cities gathered in hospitable Kazan […] I am confident that the Forum will give a start to new promising initiatives, and the recommendations and proposals developed during the Forum will serve to deepen multifaceted relations for the benefit of our peoples," Putin said in a telegram to the participants on the forum, published by his office.
The establishment of a new structure based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, and creative cooperation will be a significant step in strengthening ties between the BRICS countries and their partners, he added.
Such cooperation is expected to facilitate improving legislation, modernizing housing and communal services and infrastructure, and implementing projects in the fields of architecture, environment, digitization, and tourism, Putin said.