2 days Ago By Qatar Tribune
Qatar tribune QNA DOHA HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s official visit to the Russian Federation represents an important milestone in exploring new prospects for economic cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries, experts emphasized. Speaking to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), they noted that the two countries’ relations are based on a solid foundation of shared energy interests as well as a desire to diversify international partnerships and to play a greater role on the global stage, pointing out that the visit is expected to provide a strong impetus to bilateral cooperation between Qatar and the Russian Federation and to advance relations between the two countries towards broader horizons, especially in the energy sector, a key driver of the Qatari-Russian partnership in light of Qatar’s investment in the Russian oil company Rosneft, one of Russia’s largest energy companies. This visit falls within the framework of the growing relations between the State of Qatar and the Russian Federation, which began with the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1988.
Since then, these ties have continued to grow, and flourish based on the principles of international law, mutual respect, and shared interests. They span numerous fields, particularly politics, economics, trade, culture, humanitarian, and other areas. HH the Amir’s visit to the Russian Federation comes amidst a period of international transformation to reaffirm the strength of economic relations between Doha and Moscow and the two sides’ commitment to consolidating strategic cooperation, particularly in the energy sector.
The two countries enjoy strong historical relations based on shared interests and mutual respect. HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and HE President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss ways to strengthen the economic partnership and develop cooperation in the energy sector, a fundamental pillar of relations between the two countries. Over the past years, Qatar and Russia have signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding to advance cooperation in the economic and energy sectors, Businessman Dr.
Khalid bin Arhama Al Kuwari emphasized. The Doha-based Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) stands out as a key framework for coordination between the two countries in the gas market. Both Qatar and Russia are founding and active members of the forum, he said.
Officials from both countries repeatedly emphasize the importance of strengthening partnerships through the GECF to protect the interests of gas exporters in global markets, he said adding that Moscow also considers cooperation with Qatar within the forum “essential to ensuring the legitimate interests of gas exporters in global markets.” Qatar and Russia are among the world’s major powers in the gas and energy sector. Qatar has massive natural gas reserves and is among the world’s top three liquefied natural gas exporters, along with the United States and Australia.
Doha and Moscow are strategic partners in the gas sector. Together, they seek to maintain global market balance. Al Kuwari noted that the Qatar Investment Authority acquired an 18.
93 percent stake in Russia’s Rosneft in September 2018, paving the way for joint projects and investments between Qatar and Russia in the energy sector. Although bilateral trade remains modest in absolute terms, both sides are optimistic about the prospects for expanding economic cooperation, driven by integration in the energy and investment sectors, he stated. He added that considering global geopolitical and economic changes, the upcoming Moscow summit between HH the Amir and the Russian President is of exceptional importance, as it is expected to result in new agreements and initiatives.
The energy issue will be at the top of the agenda, and the two sides are expected to discuss coordination in the liquefied natural gas markets to ensure price stability and a balance between supply and demand. The discussions may also touch on the exchange of expertise and investments. Last March, Doha hosted the fifth session of the Qatari-Russian Joint Committee on Trade, Economic, and Technical Cooperation.
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and HE First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov co-chaired the session, which underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation relations between Qatar and Russia across the economic, trade, and technical fields and explored prospects for strengthening and developing them to enhance the common interests of the two friendly countries. Economist and specialist in oil and energy affairs Dr. Amer Al Shobaki said that the summit may address geopolitical developments and their impact on economic cooperation, and discuss initiatives in new economic sectors, such as developing new financial tools to support energy trade, in addition to exploring opportunities for cooperation in non-traditional fields such as renewable energy and technology, while expecting that the summit will consolidate a closer partnership between the two countries and launch new initiatives that enhance their shared interests.
Copy 18/04/2025 10.
