Abu Dhabi crown prince to meet Putin in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin will receive Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday, June 1, as part of a working visit by the royal, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The two will discuss the further building of ties between the UAE and Russia in trade, economic and investment areas as well as “topical issues on the international and regional agenda”, according to the announcement.

They will also sign a declaration for an undisclosed strategic partnership.

Putin last spoke to the crown prince on the telephone in March following official talks in April last year.

Ties between Russia and the UAE have strengthened in recent years, despite political differences regarding Syria, following an OPEC deal with Russia to cut oil production.

Read: Russia says looking at joint oil organisation with OPEC

Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi investment fund Mubadala acquired a 44 per cent stake worth at least $271m in an oil subsidiary of Russian gas giant Gazprom.

Read: UAE’s Mubadala to take stake in subsidiary of Russia’s Gazprom

In January last year, the UAE also granted Russian passport holders visa on arrival entry, resulting in a surge in visitors.

Read: Dubai receives 2% more tourists in Q1 2018

The two sides are reportedly working on a long-term project to develop a light fighter jet.

Read: UAE and Russia to develop fighter jet