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Putin welcomes opportunity to talk with Gulf Arab leaders

Sochi (Russia) - Russian President Vladimir Putin met His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Sunday to discuss security in the Middle East and the conflict in Syria.

The meeting between the two is the highest-level contact between the Kremlin and a Gulf Arab leader since Russia began a campaign of air strikes to support Syrian President Bashar Al Assad.
"I welcome the opportunity to talk about ... the situation in the region, particularly in light of recent terrorist acts in Turkey," Putin told Mohammed bin Zayed on the sidelines of the Russian Grand Prix in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
While welcoming Mohammed bin Zayed, President Putin said, "I'm pleased about your visit to this city. It is another chance to discuss the bilateral relations and the Middle East issues, especially the Syrian crisis."
On his part, Mohammed bin Zayed expressed his satisfaction on meeting President Putin and discussing ways to bolster the relations in the best interest of the two countries. "While meeting with President Putin, we are looking forward to discussing cooperation between the two countries and tackling the current Middle East issues."
Mohammed bin Zayed stressed that the UAE "is keen to build stronger relations with Russia that serve the interests of both countries and peoples, especially in the areas of economy, investment and trade."
Mohammed bin Zayed conveyed the regards of the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to President Putin and his best wishes to the friendly people of Russia to achieve more progress and prosperity.
President Putin asked Mohammed bin Zayed to convey his regards to UAE President and his best wishes to the friendly people of the UAE to achieve more progress and prosperity.
They also discussed ways to strengthen the existing cooperation, focussing on the fast growing economic and investment sectors, which reflect the strong bonds of friendship and mutual interests that the leaders of both countries seek to promote.
The two sides tackled the latest regional and international developments of mutual concern, notably, the Syrian crisis, and visions of the two countries to address the humanitarian and political crisis, as well as the efforts being exerted to resolve the conflict.
Mohammed bin Zayed stressed the need for concerted international community responsibility and cooperation to put an end to the Syrian crisis that has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Syrians, displaced millions of innocent people, as well as caused the loss of years of human and economic development.
He said that the UAE does not spare any effort to back political solutions that would safeguard security and stability of Syria, as well as its territorial integrity.
They also reviewed during the meeting the situation in Yemen and plans of the Arab coalition to restore stability to the people and government of Yemen in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.
Mohamed bin Zayed stressed the need for concerted international community responsibility and cooperation to put an end to the Syrian crisis that has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Syrians, displaced millions of innocent people, as well as caused the loss of years of human and economic development.
He said that the UAE does not spare any effort to back political solutions that would safeguard security and stability of Syria, as well as its territorial integrity.
They also reviewed during the meeting the situation in Yemen and plans of the Arab coalition to restore stability to the people and government of Yemen in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.
Mohamed bin Zayed and Putin exchanged views on the overall developments and issues of common interest.
The Russian president also met Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and discussed with him regional issues.