Qatar to further strengthen ties with Russia

With the hopes to resolve regional issues and increase bilateral cooperation across different fields, particularly in trade and economics, Qatar’s leadership met with Russian officials at the Amiri Diwan yesterday.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani held official talks with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who was accompanied by a delegation, reported the Gulf Times.

At the start of the meeting, the Russian FM passed on the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s well wishes for the Qatari people’s prosperity and further progress to the Qatari officials. HH the Amir also conveyed his greetings to President Putin, wishing him good health and continued development for the people of Russia.

The meeting underlined areas of development and collaboration between the two countries in addition to delving into ways to settle the ongoing crisis in Syria, Libya and Somalia as well as the Gulf crisis.

Doha and Moscow stressed their concord on several regional and global issues, particularly with regards to the need for dialogue to resolve any existing crisis through political and diplomatic endeavors, reported The Peninsula.

Following the discussions, a joint press conference was held where His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was joined by the Russian FM.

#Qatar, #Russia Affirm Common Desire to Strengthen Joint Cooperation, Agree on Regional Issueshttps://t.co/mWdMhxRfyU#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/6mInFbikhS

— MOFA - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) March 4, 2019

HE Sheikh Mohamed underscored the topics of discussion saying the dialogue was constructive and that Qatar and Russia hold a common vision to resolve regional and international crisis through peaceful discussions and communication.

He mentioned that during the talks, Qatar highlighted its support for the Syrian people and stressed a political solution agreed upon by the Syrian people to be the only solution to end the crisis.

As for Libya, HE the Qatari Minister said there should be one government and one army. Both the Russian and Qatari officials recognized the need to support the Skhirat agreement in this regard.

The Palestinian issue was also part of the discussions, where the two parties called for joint efforts to end the division between Palestinians and stressed all Palestinian parties to reconcile.

Referring to the illegal blockade imposed on Qatar, HE Sheikh Mohamed noted that there were no developments in that regard apart from the Kuwaiti Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah’s efforts coupled with those of the US to put a stop to the crisis via dialogue.

He stressed there were no developments to prove that there has been a change in the approach and behavior of the blockading countries "as the speech and the methodology followed are still the same since the beginning of the crisis".

He reaffirmed Qatar’s welcoming stance on any communication to resolve the Gulf crisis for the consolidation of the Arab region.

"With regards to Saudi or other countries, it is none of their business, it's a sovereign decision by Qatar." - Qatar's FM tells Saudis regarding its purchase of S-400 missiles from Russia https://t.co/TnevrqP1TG

— Al Jazeera News (@AJENews) March 4, 2019

When asked about Qatar's efforts to finalize a deal with Russia to buy the Russian missile defence system (S400) and the Saudi opposition against this deal, HE the Minister said the matter was “not anyone’s business” and that such deals are a sovereign decision of Qatar, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The minister said discussions are ongoing with Russia for acquiring different military equipment and there is no agreement currently for the defence system (S400) .

On his part, the Russian FM commended the strength of the Qatari-Russian relations, while recognizing the relationship between the Qatar Investment Authority and the Russian Fund for Investment in the oil and gas sector.

#Russia and #Qatar also expressed commitment to coordinating gas market activity through the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

Speculation on a gas cartel has existed for some time, perhaps Lavrov’s visit to Doha will breathe new life into the idea.

https://t.co/mKNGMla24V

— Colby Connelly (@ColbyAntonius) March 4, 2019

He shared the Russian private sector’s eagerness to invest in this field, particularly in the context of Qatar hosting the World Cup 2022.

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