The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) organized a lecture titled ‘UAE-Russia Relations: Strategic Partnership’, which was delivered by His Excellency Sergey Kuznetsov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the United Arab Emirates. The lecture, held on Wednesday evening, October 23, 2019, took place in the presence of His Excellency Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi, Director General of the ECSSR, and a group of writers, researchers, intellectuals and journalists who gathered in the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Hall at the ECSSR complex in Abu Dhabi.

At the beginning of the lecture, Ambassador Kuznetsov thanked His Excellency Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi for inviting him to deliver the lecture, commending the ECSSR’s role in enriching strategic and intellectual research through lectures and specialized seminars.

The lecture began with a short film on the historic visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose recent trip to the United Arab Emirates was full of activities that reflect the depth of special relations between the two countries.

The Russian Ambassador then gave a brief overview of the history of relations between the Russian Federation and the United Arab Emirates, which started in 1971, during the era of the Soviet Union. Relations subsequently developed through exchanging ambassadors in November 1985 and opening embassies in both countries.

His Excellency Kuznetsov extended his thanks to UAE officials for their efforts and cooperation, particularly during the past five months in preparation for President Putin’s visit. He pointed out that President Putin’s Emirati hosts insisted that his reception ceremony should be of the highest standard, and that an exceptional visit should be planned in order to ensure a successful meeting between the Russian president and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (may God protect him). His Excellency Kuznetsov added that the visit was preceded by a meeting of the joint committees of both countries, and during the visit nine agreements were signed between the UAE and Russia, spanning economic, investment and cultural areas. He stressed that even though President Putin’s visit was short, an agenda full of many important issues of mutual interest was covered.

His Excellency Kuznetsov explained that the relationship between the UAE and Russia is based on strategic partnership. He pointed out that on June 1, 2018, these relations reached an important turning point with the signing of the Declaration of Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The agreement covers political, security, trade, economic and cultural spheres, in addition to humanitarian, scientific, technological and tourism sectors.

His Excellency Kuznetsov also touched on further development of the unique relations between the UAE and the Russian Federation, which have recently witnessed a significant shift in depth and durability. He highlighted that there are forty-five joint investment programs and projects currently being worked on between institutions of the two countries. He also expressed his happiness at the successful flight of the first Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri to the International Space Station, in cooperation with the Russian Federation. The Ambassador concluded his lecture by stating that he hopes to develop this type of cooperation, which reflects the pioneering advances made by the UAE.