OREANDA-NEWS. January 25, 2010. D.A. Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, expressed his appreciation to Sh.F. Takhautdinov, General Director of OAO TATNEFT for active participation in the preparation arrangements and holding of the All-Russia Forum "Russia is a Sports Power", which started systematic work in promoting healthy lifestyle, as well as promoting sports and physical culture in the Russian Federation. Many kinds of mass sports develop with the support of the leaders of the Republic of Tatarstan and TATNEFT Company, reported the press-centre of TATNEFT.

The Company also participates in the works to prepare for the XXVII-th World Summer Universiade in Kazan in 2013. The experience of the sports movement in Tatarstan has been deservedly recognized as one of the most effective in our country, as evidenced by a number of big victories of Tatarstan athletes in Russia and at the world's scale.

The Head of the State also gratefully noted the big personal contribution of Sh.F. Takhautdinov, General Director of OAO TATNEFT, into providing for the Russian Federation's Presidency in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2008-2009, the preparation of the of the Heads of States - members of the SCO Council Meeting and the first Summit of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) in Yekaterinburg in 2009.

The regional and international SCO organization, founded in 2001 by the leaders of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, significantly expanded the scope of cooperation between the countries belonging to the association in recent years. Many new directions for the further development of cooperation and ensuring favorable environment for trade and investment have been worked out. It is important that the economic emphasis is laid on the development of direct ties between business communities and particularly between energy companies under the auspices of the Energy Club with involvement the Business Council and SCO Interbank Association capabilities.

Thus, the Leadership and the entire Company's contribution into development of foreign economic relations and strengthening the business reputation of Russia as well as a great contribution into the development of physical culture and sports have been adequately appreciated and given a well deserved recognition at the very highest level today.