Russian president, Qatari PM reaffirm aspiration to develop bilateral relations

MOSCOW. June 22 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani to convey his best regards to the emir of Qatar.

"First of all, I would like to begin our meeting by asking you to convey my best regards to his highness, the emir of Qatar. I remember all of our meetings. They were invariably held at a very high level and underlined our special relationship and aspiration to develop these relations in numerous areas," Putin said at the meeting with Sheikh Mohammed.

Putin thanked him for the Qatari delegation's participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, and noted that bilateral trade turnover was currently relatively small but had the potential for growth.

Sheikh Mohammed said in turn that the emir had asked him to convey his best wishes to the Russian president.

"I came here today with a message from his highness, the emir of Qatar. It concerns further steps towards broadening bilateral cooperation and coordination," he said.