Qatari FM visit to Moscow: trade first, politics second
Qatari FM visit to Moscow: trade first, politics second
Analysis: Qatari Foreign Minister Khaled Al Attiyah will meet with Russia's Sergei Lavrov on Friday, but visit will likely focus on economic cooperation as bilateral ties remain strained over Syria.
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Thousands of people gathered along Doha's waterfront to celebrate Qatar's National Day last week [Anadolu]
On Wednesday, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Qatar's Foreign Minister Khaled Al Attiyah would meet with his Russian counterpart on Christmas day to discuss the situation in Syria.
This would be the second visit by Qatar's foreign minister to Moscow in the past two years.
Other topics on the top of the visit's agenda include terrorism and bilateral relations, particularly economic cooperation between two of the world's biggest natural gas players - and rivals.
Attiyah had previously described relations with Russia as "distinctive" and "based on mutual respect," during his participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in May 2014.
However, Qatar and Russia support rival sides in the Syrian conflict, which has taken its toll on their relations. Qatar is also close to Turkey.
However, diplomatic sources that spoke to The New Arab's Arabic service denied Attiyah would be carrying an initiative for de-escalation between Moscow and Ankara, relations between which have been strained in the aftermath of Turkey's downing of a Russian jet last month.
It's the economy...
Despite their differences, Doha and Moscow are still determined to strengthen their economic ties.
In mid-December, a Russian-Qatari Business Forum convened in Qatar.
Sectors of particular interest to joint cooperation include infrastructure in addition to natural gas, with trade between the countries reaching $501 million in value in 2014.
Previously, there were reports that Qatar's investment arm the Qatar Investment Authority was planning $2 billion's worth of projects in Russia.
Yet another area the two countries are set to cooperate is sports, as both nations will host the FIFA 2018 and 2022 World Cup events respectively.
Several Russian companies have expressed interests in infrastucture projects tendered by Qatar in preparation for the world's biggest sports event.
The two countries are also planning a joint cultural event set for 2018.
Nevertheless, the visit by Qatar's head of diplomacy should not be seen in isolation of international efforts focusing on peace in Syria, in which both Russia and Qatar are major players.
This would be the second visit by Qatar's foreign minister to Moscow in the past two years.
Other topics on the top of the visit's agenda include terrorism and bilateral relations, particularly economic cooperation between two of the world's biggest natural gas players - and rivals.
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Qatar and Russia support rival sides in the Syrian conflict, which has taken its toll on their relations. Qatar is also close to Turkey |  |
Attiyah had previously described relations with Russia as "distinctive" and "based on mutual respect," during his participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in May 2014.
However, Qatar and Russia support rival sides in the Syrian conflict, which has taken its toll on their relations. Qatar is also close to Turkey.
However, diplomatic sources that spoke to The New Arab's Arabic service denied Attiyah would be carrying an initiative for de-escalation between Moscow and Ankara, relations between which have been strained in the aftermath of Turkey's downing of a Russian jet last month.
It's the economy...
Despite their differences, Doha and Moscow are still determined to strengthen their economic ties.
In mid-December, a Russian-Qatari Business Forum convened in Qatar.
Sectors of particular interest to joint cooperation include infrastructure in addition to natural gas, with trade between the countries reaching $501 million in value in 2014.
Previously, there were reports that Qatar's investment arm the Qatar Investment Authority was planning $2 billion's worth of projects in Russia.
|
Another area the two countries are set to cooperate is sports, as both nations will host the FIFA 2018 and 2022 World Cup events respectively | |
Yet another area the two countries are set to cooperate is sports, as both nations will host the FIFA 2018 and 2022 World Cup events respectively.
Several Russian companies have expressed interests in infrastucture projects tendered by Qatar in preparation for the world's biggest sports event.
The two countries are also planning a joint cultural event set for 2018.
Nevertheless, the visit by Qatar's head of diplomacy should not be seen in isolation of international efforts focusing on peace in Syria, in which both Russia and Qatar are major players.
