UAE, Russia Seek to Bolster Cooperation, Push Forward Peace

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday. (WAM)
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UAE, Russia Seek to Bolster Cooperation, Push Forward Peace

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday. (WAM)

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.

Sheikh Mohamed and Putin underlined the steps taken by their countries in recent years in boosting bilateral cooperation in all fields.

They stressed Moscow and Abu Dhabi’s keenness on developing the cooperation on all levels.

Putin expressed his satisfaction with the level of coordination in various fields.

He added that the economic cooperation between the UAE and Russia has witnessed significant leaps in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy.

Putin praised the “joint work” between Russia and the UAE at OPEC+ with the aim of achieving stability in the global energy markets.

He stressed that the group’s actions are not targeted against any party and that its efforts are aimed at striking a balance and stability between the interests of the producers and consumers and meeting market needs.

Putin highlighted the UAE’s “role and regional standing” that is helping bolster mediation efforts to resolve humanitarian issues. He also hailed its role in “resolving crises in different parts of the world.”

The ties between the UAE and Russia are a “significant factor in the stability of the region,” he remarked, adding that he was keen on discussing the situations in Syria and Libya in depth.

He noted Abu Dhabi’s efforts in easing the humanitarian crises caused by the situation in Ukraine, saying he was aware of the UAE’s concern over the situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed stressed his country’s efforts in helping strengthen the foundations of global peace and stability to reduce tensions and find diplomatic solutions to crises.

The two leaders reviewed a number of regional and international issues and developments of common concern during their meeting.

Sheikh Mohamed highlighted the importance of continuing to make unremitting efforts to find political solutions to crises and tensions, stressing the need for dialogue between all parties.

Furthermore, he underscored the UAE's policy in support of peace and stability on the regional and international arenas.

He called for the need to continue serious consultations to resolve the Ukraine crisis through dialogue, negotiation and diplomacy to reach a political settlement in order to achieve global peace and security.

Sheikh Mohamed and Putin had last met during a visit by the Russian leader to Abu Dhabi in 2019.

Sheikh Mohamed noted that the trade exchange between their countries rose from $2.5 billion to around $5 billion in recent years in spite of the pandemic.

He also noted the rise in the numbers of Russian tourists visiting the UAE. He revealed that nearly half a million Russians had visited his country in the past year alone.

Moreover, he noted that some 4,000 Russian companies are operating in the UAE, hoping that cooperation between their countries will increase in the future.



Saudi-Iraqi Cooperation Thwarts Drug Smuggling Operation

 The drug shipment was intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency. SPA
The drug shipment was intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency. SPA
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Saudi-Iraqi Cooperation Thwarts Drug Smuggling Operation

 The drug shipment was intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency. SPA
The drug shipment was intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency. SPA

Iraq's security forces have seized an estimated 1.1 ton of captagon pills hidden inside a truck that entered Iraq from Syria via Türkiye, the Interior Ministry said on Sunday.

The drug shipment, the largest ever seized in Iraq, was tracked and intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency, the Interior Ministry spokesperson Brigadier Muqdad Meri said in a televised statement.

Saudi Arabia said it contributed to thwarting an attempt to smuggle seven million amphetamine pills into Iraq, according to a statement by ministry security spokesman Colonel Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub.
Through proactive security monitoring of criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control provided intelligence to its Iraqi counterpart, leading to the interception of the illicit shipment. The drugs were concealed within a consignment of children's toys and ironing boards.
Shalhoub praised the close cooperation between Saudi and Iraqi authorities in combating drug smuggling.

He reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to tracking and dismantling criminal operations involved in narcotics production and trafficking, in collaboration with counterpart agencies in brotherly and friendly countries.