Mishustin announced Russia’s readiness to increase food supplies to Qatar

Russia is ready to continue increasing the supply of agricultural products to Qatar. This was stated by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at a meeting with the head of government, Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani.

“Our domestic producers are ready to increase deliveries through organic food, primarily halal products,” the prime minister said (quote according to RIA Novosti). He noted that in 2022 Russia increased exports of food and agricultural products to Qatar by more than 50%.

Prime Minister at the meeting declaredthat the authorities of Russia and Qatar are working on joint projects worth more than 160 billion rubles. (about 6.9 billion Qatari rials), as well as expanding cooperation in the investment field. In addition, Mishustin named Qatar is “Russia’s key partner in the Middle East”.

Russia began to increase interaction with the countries of the Middle East after the start of the military operation in Ukraine and the subsequent Western sanctions. At the end of April, Russian President Vladimir Putin spent telephone conversation with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. Then the leaders of the two countries discussed cooperation within the framework of OPEC + and expressed satisfaction with the coordination within the organization to ensure the stability of the global oil market. Questions were also raised about the prospects for cooperation between Saudi Arabia and BRICS.

In addition, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), which took place from 14 to 17 June, was attended by the President of Algeria, Abdelmajid Tebboun, who named Putin “a friend of all mankind.” Putin and Tebbun also signed a declaration on an in-depth strategic partnership between the two countries and agreed on cooperation in the field of the use of outer space for peaceful purposes.