Thursday, June 22, 2023

Putin holds talks with Qatari PM to ‘unleash cooperation potential’

ByNews Desk- The Cradle 

The Gulf kingdom has significantly deepened ties with other US adversaries in recent months, namely Iran and China

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani on 22 June in Moscow.

During their discussion, the Russian leader said that the “full potential of cooperation” between the two nations “has not been unleashed” and indicated an interest in expanding cooperation.

 

“Dear Prime Minister, first of all, I would like to ask you to convey my best wishes to His Highness, the Emir of the State of Qatar. I remember all our meetings with him, they were always held at a very high level, and we have always emphasized our special relationship and our intentions to develop relations in many areas,” Putin told the Qatari official.

He also said that a Qatari delegation was present at “a very high level” at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, before highlighting the successful work of the Russian Investment Fund with the Qatar Investment Agency, saying, “There is a good move forward. We are very happy about it.”

For his part, the Qatari official hailed the Gulf kingdom’s growing ties with Russia and delivered a message from the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

“I came here today with a message from his highness, the Emir of Qatar. It concerns further steps towards broadening bilateral cooperation and coordination,” he said.

Abdul Rahman began his visit to Russia on Wednesday, meeting with his counterpart Mikhail Mishustin to discuss “peaceful ways” to end the war in Ukraine.

In comments to Sputnik, Mishustin said Moscow considered Qatar as a “key partner” West Asia and that his country was looking forward to expanding cooperation.

“Qatar and Russia have developed a long-term strategic partnership in the energy sector with the Qatari Investment Promotion Agency being the largest shareholder in [Russian oil company] Rosneft,” he said.

“The two countries also work together within the framework of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, headquartered in the Qatari capital, Doha,” he added.

Qatar has been signing mammoth energy deals in recent months, most significantly with China.

The kingdom is also rebuilding ties with another US adversary: Iran.

Earlier this month, the Islamic Republic announced plans to transform the industrial zone of the Persian Gulf coast into a major regional gas hub in coordination with Russia, Qatar, and Turkmenistan.

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