Born January 5, 1952 in g. Gorky in a working class family, and Russian.
In 1975 he graduated from the Faculty of Kazan University on specialty "Jurisprudence" and enrolled in graduate school specializing in international lawyer ". Doctor of Legal Sciences, Professor.
. Since 1978 he worked as an assistant, then associate professor of department of public law and the construction of the Soviet Kazakh State University Law School.
. In 1982 - 83 - teacher at the National Law School of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, and in 1987 - 88 he taught at the University of the Democratic Republic of Madagascar.
. Returning in 1988 from Africa, went to the party.
. On July 4, 1991 to December 1995 - Vice-President of the Republic of Tatarstan.
. Since 1993 - Member of the editorial board of "Miras".
. March 5, 1995 elected people's deputy of the Republic of Tatarstan, March 30 - Chairman of the State Council of Tatarstan.
. Since January 1996 - Member of the Federation Council of Russia.
. January 19, 1996 elected Vice-Chairman of the Federation Council.
. May 4, 1998 presidential decree was appointed Russia's ambassador in Brussels, the European Union.
. Has the diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.
. Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan
. Academician of the Academy of Arts and the International Academy of Informatization. Author of more than 100 scientific papers on state-building and international law.
He speaks French, English and Portuguese.
Hobbies - swimming, theater, travel, underwater hunting. Master of Sports of Russia and the winner of the Sea decathlon.
Military rank - lieutenant colonel.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor (1996).
His wife, Naila
Likhachev Imatovna - assistant prosecutor of Tatarstan. Two daughters, Ilnar and Renata - schoolgirls.
