HISTORIC PUTIN VISIT REINFORCES BOND BETWEEN UAE AND RUSSIA
▶ Russian president given royal welcome to Abu Dhabi on trip reaffirming close relations and commercial ties
Aboard the pride of the Russian airf-leet, Vladimir Putin touched down in Abu Dhabi yesterday to a royal welcome reserved for only the UAE’s most valued partners.
The Russian leader’s Ilyushin 96 jet landed at the airport after midday and he travelled in convoy of more than a dozen vehicles to Qasr Al Watan as helicopters hovered overhead.
Along the route, the streets were festooned with Emirati and Russian flags and Al Fursan aerobatics team streamed across the sky displaying the colours of the Russian flag.
Both sides agreed on a host of deals in energy, nuclear power, aviation and the environment.
Energy took centre stage. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company signed a major agreement with Russia’s Gazprom Neft to team up in production, artificial intelligence and techniques to extract more oil from existing fields.
It also awarded Russian company Lukoil a 5 per cent stake in the Ghasha sour gas field. This is the first time a Russian energy company has
participated in Abu Dhabi’s exploration and production activity.
Aviation was another area where huge progress was made as agreement was reached to increase flights between the two countries from about the 100 a week that operate now.
The Russian leader’s trip is seen as further cementing the increasingly close partnership between the two nations and the welcome afforded Mr Putin was testament to these flourishing ties.
“I am very pleased to see my brother [Vladimir Putin] and friend after more than a year since our last meeting in Moscow,” said Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
“Moscow is my second home and I would like to thank you again for your warm welcome during my visit. The UAE is honoured with your visit today.”
The UAE and Russia additionally agreed to deepen the already strong partnership in space, tourism and regional energy co-operation through the Opec-plus group – the group of oil producers that has sought to bolster the oil market since 2016. Mr Putin presented Sheikh Mohamed with a white gyrfalcon while the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi gave the Russian leader an ornate model of Qasr Al Hosn.
Mr Putin arrived at the gilded halls of Qasr Al Watan at about 1.30pm as a 21-gun salute boomed and the sweet smell of oud drifted through the Presidential Palace to ensure a traditional Emirati welcome.
It is exactly 12 years since Mr Putin last visited the UAE and the Russian leader said he was pleased to be in the country again.
“During the short tour from the airport to your headquarters, I watched from the car window the vigorous dynamism of the development of your ... country,” he said.
Mr Putin first greeted sheikhs, dignitaries and government ministers. The national anthems of both countries were played and Mr Putin inspected an Emirati guard of honour.
Sheikh Mohamed and the Russian leader then met the UAE’s first astronaut, Maj Hazza Al Mansouri, and his backup, Sultan Al Neyadi. Maj Al Mansouri returned to the UAE only days ago from a mission to the International Space Station on board a Russian-made Soyuz rocket.
Mr Putin congratulated the UAE on Maj Al Mansouri’s achievements and said Russia would continue to support the country’s space ambitions.
Within an hour, the formalities were over and both leaders prepared for a busy day of high-level meetings and engagements at the palace.
At a meeting between the two leaders and their delegations, Sheikh Mohamed said the partnership between the UAE and Russia was of immense importance.
“I hope this visit will have a deep effect to enhance the strategic relationship between our countries and lead to further opportunities for each country,” Sheikh Mohamed said.
Speaking about the two nations’ energy deals Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Adnoc Group chief executive, said: “This comprehensive framework agreement with Gazprom Neft is a natural evolution of the close and deep bilateral relations between the UAE and Russia, and provides a foundation to strengthen and expand the strategic energy relationship between both countries.”
The UAE has been in celebration mode for the visit all week.
A spectacular display of Russian culture opened at Emirates Palace on Monday. During UAE-Russia Week, visitors can sample a slice of Russian life through folk dancing, food and ballet.
“Cultural collaboration and the sharing of our traditional heritage with one another are integral to bringing our two cultures closer,” said Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, who launched the event.
“The UAE’s relationship with Russia dates back more than 47 years when our Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, laid the foundations of these bilateral ties,” she said.
“The launch of UAE-Russia Week opens opportunities for artists and creatives to communicate in both cultures.”
Major landmarks in the UAE capital – such as Marina Mall and Khalifa University – were lit up with the Russian colours while Abu Dhabi Police patrol cars were decorated with the country’s flag and Cyrillic script.
Mr Putin’s journey to the UAE
Major landmarks in the UAE capital – such as Marina Mall and Khalifa University – were lit up with the Russian colours
began a few days earlier. He arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday and from there travelled to the Emirates with a huge delegation of trade officials, ministers and government representatives – including his long-serving Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Trade between the UAE and Russia reached Dh12.5 billion in 2018 and more than 3,000 Russian companies are registered in the UAE. A strategic partnership was struck between both countries last year and co-operation now extends across space, technology, defence and tourism. Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala and the Russian Direct Investment Fund teamed up in 2013 to create a $7 billion (Dh25.70bn) fund with $2bn already invested. Both are now committed to 45 projects across Russia covering healthcare, technology, artificial intelligence and Mixed Martial Arts.