Grand Emirati welcome for Putin
The UAE rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin during his landmark visit to the country on Tuesday. The Aurus Senat, the Presidential state car of Russia, was escorted to Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi by a cavalry mounted on Arabian horses.
President Putin and his accompanying delegation drove through streets that were lined with the flags of the two countries. Overhead traffic signs displayed messages in the Russian language.
A 21-gun salute was accorded to the special guest, who is visiting the UAE after a gap of 12 years. The UAE Air Force aerobatic display team, Al Fursan, flew over the palace, painting the sky in Russian national colours. As he reached the palace, Emiratis carrying the Russian flag put up a traditional music performance.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received the Russian President. The two leaders — who are known to share a close bond — walked through the palace, where students cheered them on by waving the flags of both countries.
Historic meeting
Sheikh Mohamed welcomed President Putin and his accompanying delegation, and expressed hope that the visit would “achieve the set goals and objectives to bolster UAE-Russia ties across multiple sectors, in the interest of the two countries and their friendly peoples”.
The two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments, focusing on the Gulf and Middle East region, as well as discussions of a political, security, and economic nature of interest to both parties.
Sheikh Mohamed conveyed the greetings of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to President Putin. He affirmed that the UAE-Russia ties have “strong foundations based on mutual trust and respect, further bolstered by various exchange visits”.
He added that the UAE is keen on further developing relations with Russia across multiple sectors.
Strategic partnership
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince went on to note the Declaration of Strategic Partnership signed between the two countries in 2018 as well as other partnerships across multiple sectors.
He said there are many strategic factors that bring the UAE and Russia together, which contribute to the strengthening of relations and maximising their returns.
United against terror
The UAE and Russia, Sheikh Mohamed said, agree on the need to confront the threat of terrorism and extremism “that are a threat to global peace and security”.
He added that the security of the Arab Gulf region is not only of regional interest, but also of global one, “given the great strategic relevance for global economies”. He stressed that the UAE is keen on ensuring that global oil supplies and global maritime navigation continue without disruption.
Putin praises Sheikh Mohamed
Putin praised Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s continued support to bolster relations between the two countries. He noted that Russian tourists visiting the UAE have increased by 23 per cent, adding some $1.3 billion to the tourism economy.
“During my tour from the airport to the Presidential Palace, I was briefed on the UAE’s dynamic development progress,” said the Russian President.
He added that the bilateral relations between the two countries continue to grow in a friendly and constructive context, adding that Declaration of Strategic Partnership signals the strong trade and economic ties the UAE and Russia share. Putin went on to note that the two countries have partnered across many investment areas, particularly in the energy and peaceful nuclear energy sectors.