Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim al-Thani are to meet Wednesday to discuss investment cooperation in the energy sphere, the Russian government said.
The two countries have active energy contacts, including through OPEC and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). The GECF headquarters is situated in Qatar's capital Doha. In December 2009, GECF elected Leonid Bokhanovsky from Russia as its secretary general.
The Qatari premier is in Russia on a working visit at an invitation from Putin.
"Enhancing trade and economic and investment cooperation between Russia and Qatar, first of all in the energy sphere..., is planned for discussion," the government said.
"Special attention is expected to be paid to investment interaction, in particular by establishing joint foundations and consortiums, attracting Qatari capitals to Russia and investing Russian funds in the emirate," it said.
Diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and Qatar were established in 1988, and following the collapse of the U.S.S.R. in 1991, Qatar recognized Russia. The two countries maintain a regular political dialogue on key international and regional problems.
MOSCOW, March 24 (RIA Novosti)
