Putin Visit To Tatarstan Coincides With President's Birthday

Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiyev (file photo) (ITAR-TASS) January 20, 2007 -- President Vladimir Putin is visiting the Russian Republic of Tatarstan today for a meeting of the Tatar State Council presidium in Kazan.

Putin's visit to the republic, located approximately 800 kilometers east of Moscow, coincides with the 70th birthday of Tatarstan's president, Mintimer Shaimiyev.

Putin is expected to award the Tatar leader with a state medal.

(ITAR-TASS)