Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov met with the artistic director of the Yalla group, singer from Uzbekistan Farrukh Zakirov. They discussed strengthening friendly ties between Russia and Uzbekistan, Asian and Eastern countries. The head of the Republic of Tatarstan also presented the guest with a badge for the honorary title “People’s Artist of Tatarstan,” TatarInform reports.

Zakirov arrived in Tatarstan to participate in the international festival of national cultures “Russia-East” (“Oriental Bazaar in Kazan”), which ends today.

Minnikhanov noted that Tatarstan is trying in every possible way to strengthen Russia’s friendly ties with the countries of Asia and the East. Thus, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev recently visited the republic. He thanked Zakirov for his attention to the festival and significant contribution to the development of musical art.