Trade potential between Russia, Qatar 'yet to be uncovered,' says Putin

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that trade potential with Qatar is "yet to be uncovered."

Opening a meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Moscow, Putin said, "Currently, the figures of bilateral trade are relatively small."

The Russian leader said he expects that an intergovernmental commission between Moscow and Doha will present proposals on how to uncover "the growth potential."

Of all Russian companies, the Russian Direct Investment Fund is the one which shows the most successful cooperation with Qatar, Putin said.

For his part, Al Thani said Russia and Qatar are connected by long-term friendly ties and have common interests in a wide range of issues, particularly in energy and food security.

Al Thani also held separate meetings with Russia’s Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.