Vladimir Putin Hopes To Establish Trustful Relations With Qatar

While opening Russian-Qatar summit talks in the presence of two countries' delegations, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was looking forward to Russia and Qatar establishing "direct, trustful business links." Russia hopes that the visit by the Emir of Qatar will help streamline bilateral relations and set practical bilateral goals, said Putin, adding that his tete-a-tete conversation with the Emir was mostly focused on this particular issue and suggesting that the subject be discussed in the presence of the two delegations as well. Comprehensive cooperation between Russia and Qatar has double importance for Russia, as a bilateral relationship "as it is" and as a "top priority relationship with a member state of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf," said Putin. On his part, the Emir of Qatar said he was convinced that the work of bilateral commissions on cooperation would "result, in the long run, in realization of joint projects." Taking part in the talks on the Russian side are Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Atomic Energy Minister Igor Yusufov, and deputy head of the Kremlin administration Sergei Prikhodko.