Russian President Dmitry Medvedev believes it necessary to preserve close ties with Islamic leaders and strengthen their authority for fighting against terrorism.

“Morals and ethics are not empty words,” head of the state said in Makhachkala.

He paid attention to the special place of Islam and Islamic leaders in Caucasus.

“We need to help them and in all ways contribute to strengthening their authority, they have to bear truth,” Medvedev stressed.