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Mohammed Talks Future Relations with Putin

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, held wide-ranging talks at the Friendship Palace here on Tuesday.

Putin, who warmly welcomed Shaikh Mohammed, described the latter’s visit to Russia as successful, citing Monday’s talks between the UAE leader and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

“As we welcome your visit to Moscow, we are quite aware it will contribute in the development of friendship and cooperation between our countries
and peoples. “The trade exchange between the UAE and Russia is below the level of relations sought by the leadership of the two countries,” 
Putin said.

He reiterated that the relations are growing at the political, economic and trade levels, adding that the two countries have the will and ambition to build desired cooperation in the future.

Putin referred to the investments projects, particularly in UAE’s tourism sector, and said the two countries are resolved to develop the relations, particularly in the private sector.

Shaikh Mohammed said he was pleased to “visit this great country, Russia, and its friendly people”, adding that the relations between the two are historic and strategic.

“There are variety of opportunities to bolster the bilateral relations in all fields,” he said.
His talks with the Russian President and officials were fruitful and soon would reflect positively on the relations, he added. He invited the Russian Prime Minister to visit the UAE, which was accepted. The schedule will be decided later.

Businessmen Urged to Work Hard

DURING the meeting with Russian businessmen in Moscow, Shaikh Mohammed spoke about the global financial crisis and its impact on the UAE economy. He said the UAE is the least affected by the crisis compared to
other countries.

“Crisis create men who are capable of dealing wisely and creatively with difficult situations, and this is what we are seeking to achieve,” 
he added. “Crisis generate opportunities and energise all to rise again and to emerge stronger.

“This scenario will manifest itself soon in the UAE, thanks to the determination of its leadership, government and institutions, which are all focused on the development of
all emirates. “Our forefathers endured very hard times when food and other sources of living were scarce. Yet, they left us a great legacy that we are proud of.

“Thanks to Allah the Almighty, our country is doing well; our economy is resilient. We should not worry or get pessimistic. We should rather be very optimistic.”

Shaikh Mohammed noted that he learnt from the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the late Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum to always adopt a forward-looking
approach and to maintain the UAE federation strong.

He urged the young businessmen to work hard and to cooperate with each other to serve their country.

Shaikh Mohammed also visited the tomb of the unknown soldier in Moscow. He was briefed by the site’s officer on the war memorial, which is dedicated to the Soviet soldiers killed during the Second World War (1941-1945). The tomb was unveiled on May 8, 1967. The torch for the memorial’s eternal flame was transported from Leningrad, where it had been lit from the Eternal Flame on the Field of Mars.