Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, and Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates, met on the eve of the residence of the Russian leader Novo-Ogaryovo, the Kremlin’s press service said.
The meeting discussed the development of military-technical cooperation and the implementation of investment projects. As Vladimir Putin noted, relations between the two countries are developing successfully, and trade is growing. It is worth recalling that last year the foreign trade turnover amounted to US $ 1.5 billion, and in the first half of 2012 it already exceeded US $ 1 billion, and thus increased by 40% compared to the same period last year. Today in the UAE there are about 40 representative offices of Russian companies and over 350 joint ventures. An important mechanism for coordinating joint efforts in this direction is the Russian-Emirate Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation. In December, a meeting of the co-chairs of the commission is scheduled in Abu Dhabi.
Investment cooperation is also expanding. So, in 2011, Russian companies invested US $ 187.1 million in the UAE economy, US Emirates invested US $ 253.8 million in Russian projects. There are notable successes in the energy sector: last April Stroytransgaz completed the construction of the longest in the UAE Tavila-Fujairah gas pipeline (length - 244 kilometers). Rosneft and the emirate company Crescent Petroleum are currently implementing a large-scale project to develop a concession area in the Sharjah emirate (the share of the Russian oil company is 49%, drilling is scheduled for 2013). In May, Gidromashservice opened a representative office in Dubai, which plans to supply Russian-made equipment for the needs of the UAE oil and gas complex. He is also interested in participating in the construction of infrastructure and RAO Rosneftegazstroy.
In the field of humanitarian cooperation, there has been a steady increase in tourist flow: over the year, it is expected that over 600 thousand Russians will visit the United Arab Emirates, which is 50% more than last year. “We constantly maintain contacts at the political level. Some of our companies carry out joint projects, and large projects. These are not only energy, but also the metallurgical industry, construction, infrastructure. And, very importantly, investment cooperation is expanding, moreover, in two directions. such a sensitive area of interaction as military-technical interaction, "said the President of Russia.
It is worth noting that this meeting was the second for the crown prince of the UAE. He already visited Moscow in the summer of 2009. “I am glad to be here today, on the land that I consider my second homeland,” said Al Nahyan. “Our relations are really developing steadily. We attach great importance to them, attach great importance to their further advancement. And today our presence here in Moscow is vivid evidence of our sincere desire to discuss with you further ways to advance the entire range of bilateral relations between Moscow and Abu Dhabi. "
According to the emirate’s media, the parties also discussed the situation in the Middle East region and the development of a strategic dialogue between Russia and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Sheikh Mohammed noted that the region is currently undergoing a critical stage, which requires the intensification of regional and international efforts to restore peace and stability in the region. The talks were attended by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, Omar Safe Gobash, UAE Ambassador to Russia, and other officials.
