UAE, Russia sign Declaration of Strategic Partnership
COUNTRIES TO COOPERATE IN SECURITY, CULTURE, ECONOMY, SCIENTIFIC AND TOURISM DOMAINS
The UAE and Russia yesterday signed a Declaration of Strategic Partnership to cooperate in politics, security, economy and culture apart from the humanitarian, scientific, technological and tourism domains.
The declaration was signed by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Welcoming Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed and his delegation, Putin said: “We welcome you to Moscow. We have met a year ago and since then, the region and the world have witnessed rapid developments. I am happy to have the opportunity to discuss with you ways to strengthen bilateral relations and developments in the region.
“The UAE has been a close partner for us in the Middle East for years, and today we will sign a Declaration of Strategic Partnership as a further step in strengthening our relations.”
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed conveyed to Putin the greetings of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his wishes to the people of Russia. Putin expressed his best wishes to Shaikh Khalifa and the people of the UAE.
Shaikh Mohammad said: “We are pleased to be here in Moscow and to meet with you. Our relations are very important and we emphasise the keenness to develop them. We are also pleased with the rapid growth in trade exchange and we are confident that it will hit new heights after declaring the strategic partnership between the two countries.”
The declaration features regular consultations between the foreign ministers of both countries to coordinate stances vis-a-vis issues of common concern.
The signing of the Declaration of Strategic Partnership by the UAE and Russia yesterday underlines both countries’ determination to develop bilateral relations into a fruitful strategic partnership.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who is on a two-day visit to Russia, signed the declaration along with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The declaration is seen as conducive to strengthening dialogue on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Addressing Putin, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed said: “We have witnessed lots of developments in the Middle East since we met last year. We in the UAE, along with our friends and the international community at large, look forward to a brighter future in the Middle East.”
Putin said the two countries’ relations have developed significantly at the political, security and economic levels, with trade and investment exchanges consistently hitting fresh heights.
“The UAE has been a close partner for us in the Middle East for years, and today we will sign a Declaration of Strategic Partnership as a further step in strengthening our relations.
“We have a large number of joint projects and interests. I do hope and believe that today’s visit will contribute to strengthening our mutual relations,” he said.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed also held official talks with Putin. The meeting discussed relations in the economic, investment, commercial and political fields and ways to strengthen cooperation.
Also discussed were the latest regional and international developments and the situation in the Middle East.
The two countries will continue to work hard together across the energy domain, Putin said, noting that the efforts made by his country, UAE and Saudi Arabia along with the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) have helped restore stability to the global oil market.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed appreciated Putin’s efforts to take UAE-Russia cooperation to new levels and indicated that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is keen on enhancing cooperation with Russia.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed said regular meetings between UAE and Russian leaders stem from a mutual willingness to continue consultations on how to drive bilateral cooperation in various domains.
“Russia is major country that plays a vital role in maintaining regional and international security and stability. It is necessary that we maintain a continuous coordination with Russia on regional issue to ensure security and stability,” he said.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed also referred to the joint interests between the UAE and Russia, including their firm stand against the scourge of terrorism and extremism, which requires coordination at the regional and international levels.
He also said the UAE is continuously contributing to regional and international security and stability through its proactive cooperation with the world powers, including Russia.
Attending the meeting were Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser; Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Khaldoun Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority.
The UAE has been a close partner for us in the Middle East for years ... we have a large number of joint projects and interests. I do hope and believe that today’s visit will contribute to strengthening our mutual relations.”
Vladimir Putin Russia plays a vital role in maintaining regional and international security and stability. It is necessary that we maintain a continuous coordination with Russia on regional issue to ensure security and stability.”
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed