Russia, Qatar agree to bolster trade, economic cooperation - Lavrov

DOHA. Feb 26 (Interfax) - Russia and Qatar have agreed to step up trade and economic cooperation, including in the energy sector, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"We have agreed to intensify work in all areas, primarily in the trade and economic sector, in the energy sector, within the framework of such organizations as the Gas Exporting Countries Forum headquartered in Doha, and along other tracks of our economic cooperation, including interactions between the Qatar Investment Authority and the Russian Direct Investment Fund," Lavrov said in Doha at the conclusion of his visit to Qatar.

"Projects valued at nearly one billion U.S. dollars are currently being implemented through cooperation between the Qatar Investment Authority and the Russian Direct Investment Fund, and projects worth even more are under consideration," he said.

"Some of these agreements might well be focused also on new forms of energy cooperation. However, this is for specialized ministries and companies to decide," he said.