Russia and UAE seek new military-technological cooperation projects - Russian ministry
MOSCOW. Feb 27 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia views the United Arab Emirates as its strategic partner in the Middle East and sees a 'window of opportunity' for promoting cooperation between the two countries, including military contacts, the Russian Industry and Trade Ministry's press service said on Friday.
"The potential of relations between our countries has not yet been fulfilled completely, and work will continue to further promote and broaden cooperation in promising areas such as military-technological and civilian projects," Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov was quoted as saying by the ministry's press service. Manturov attended the IDEX 2015 International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi.
The exhibition saw a whole number of important meetings which "gave us good insight into the current drastic changes in geopolitical tendencies and reaffirmed the need to consistently broaden diverse cooperation between Russia and countries of the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region," the minister said.
"Russia holds substantial export potential in a whole range of industries and is ready to offer its foreign partners, including Arab states, high-demand products that meet all modern requirements," Manturov said.
This time, negotiations with our Arab partners concerning ways to further promote military-technological cooperation also addressed the possibility of designing a heavy infantry fighting vehicle using the technology of the UAE's Enigma infantry fighting vehicle and Russia's AU-220M module equipped with a 57-millimeter cannon, the ministry said in a press release, seen by Interfax-AVN.
"During the exhibition, we conducted a presentation of our 57-millimeter artillery system, which we adapted for the platform developed by the UAE," Manturov was quoted as saying by the ministry's press service.
The countries also discussed the possibility of establishing joint ventures in other areas, including aircraft building and space exploration.
"We are working to find the best solutions and the best projects for the UAE because this country seeks serious involvement in our space programs. Their vision of Russia's space industry is changing. That is why it is high time to discuss opportunities for cooperation with the UAE in this sphere," Manturov said.
Negotiations with the UAE on these issues will continue in Moscow, he said.
