At the outset of talks in Abu Dhabi with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the remarkably high level of relations between the two countries.
"Today, our relations have reached an unprecedentedly high level, thanks to your position. We are in constant contact with you, and our colleagues are continuously working with each other," Putin stated.
He also highlighted that "the UAE is Russia's primary trade partner in the Arab world." "Last year, trade turnover increased by 67.7%, and I believe this year will be even higher," Putin added.
According to the Russian president, industrial cooperation between the two countries is progressing, including collaboration in establishing production facilities both in the UAE and in Russia. "Several major projects in the oil and gas sector are being implemented, and we are also cooperating within the OPEC+ framework," the Russian leader said.
Moscow and Abu Dhabi also emphasize the significance of humanitarian ties, Putin continued, highlighting that nearly 1 million Russian tourists visited the UAE in 2022. Additionally, he mentioned the establishment of a Russian school in the country.
The Russian leader recalled that the UAE recently celebrated 52 years since the formation of the state. "I want to congratulate you on this, and I want to recall that the Soviet Union was one of the first to recognize an independent, autonomous, sovereign state [the UAE]," the Russian president addressed his interlocutor.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS