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Russian lawmaker: Russia-Qatar talks will help normalize situation in Middle East

The Emir of Qatar will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin later today
Russia's State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin at the meeting with Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Alexandr Shalgin/Russia's parliament press service/TASS
Russia's State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin at the meeting with Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
© Alexandr Shalgin/Russia's parliament press service/TASS

MOSCOW, January 18. /TASS/. Consultations between Russia and Qatar will contribute to normalization of the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin said on Monday.

"We proceed from the fact that Russian-Qatari political cooperation intends to contribute to normalization of the situation - the prolonged and dangerous situation in this large and important region of the world, Middle East and North Africa. We hope that political consultations between our countries should contribute to this process," Naryshkin said at the meeting with Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Al Thani is on his first official visit to Russia that is taking place on January 17-19 on the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Duma speaker expressed hope that Al Thani’s visit to Russia "will become an important step in developing bilateral relations and boosting a multi-faceted dialogue between our countries."

The Emir of Qatar will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin later today. "A comprehensive exchange of opinions is planned on pressing international issues, first of all, on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa," the Kremlin press service said. During the meeting, emphasis will also be made on "comprehensive development of Russian-Qatari cooperation in trade and economic, investment, energy and humanitarian spheres," the press service added.