HH The Amir, Russian President Discuss Bilateral Relations

His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and HE President Vladimir Putin of the friendly Russian Federation discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries in several fields, including defence, energy, economy, investment, trade exchange and scientific research, as well as means to boost cooperation in the organization of the World Cup and the exchange of expertise, especially as Russia will host it in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.

HH The Amir and HE the Russian President discussed various regional and international issues of common interest.

This came during the meeting between both leaders, this evening at the Palace of the Kremlin. At the beginning of the meeting, HE the Russian President welcomed HH The Amir, noting the development of relations between the two countries since last visit of HH The Amir to Moscow in 2016.

HE the President stressed that communication between the two countries is continuing permanently and said "relations between Qatar and Russia have completed their 30th year by 2018," , adding that "the size of trade and investment exchange is increasing, especially last year, but it remains below the aspiration of the two countries, looking forward to its development.

For his part, HH The Amir affirmed that the bilateral relations have developed significantly over the past two years since the last meeting with HE the Russian President, adding that the ambitions of the two countries for cooperation are greater than they are now, despite the strong relations and mutual trust between the two sides. His Highness stressed the need to develop these relations in other areas, especially in the size of trade exchange.

HH The Amir pointed out the importance of 2018 for Qatar and Russia as their common cultural year, praising the great cooperation between the two countries in the field of culture.

HH The Amir said that Qatar is counting on friends in Russia for mutual cooperation given the importance of Russia, its historical relations with the Arab world and its role in resolving some issues in the Arab world.

HH The Amir also expressed condolences to HE the President and the Russian people on the victims of the shopping Mall fire in Kemerovo city, wishing the wounded a speedy recovery.

The meeting was attended by a number of Their Excellencies members of the official delegation accompanying HH The Amir.

On the Russian side it was attended by a number of their Excellencies Ministers.