On March 27, 2018, RIAC hosted a meeting for RIAC representatives with Qatar delegation accompanying Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who came to Russia with the working visit. RIAC management, researchers from RAS Institute of Oriental Studies, and Lomonosov Moscow State University representative took part in the event. Qatar delegation included Deputy Minister of Education, representatives of Qatar University, Qatar MFA and Moscow Embassy staff.
On March 27, 2018, RIAC hosted a meeting for RIAC representatives with Qatar delegation accompanying Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who came to Russia with the working visit. RIAC management, researchers from RAS Institute of Oriental Studies, and Lomonosov Moscow State University representative took part in the event. Qatar delegation included Deputy Minister of Education, representatives of Qatar University, Qatar MFA and Moscow Embassy staff.
Andrey Kortunov, RIAC Director General, made an opening speech and noted the importance for Russia to develop multilateral contacts in the Persian Gulf region and pointed out the need to strengthen Russian-Qatar relations in the framework of an expert dialogue. Alexander Aksenyonok, RIAC Vice-President, also made a welcoming speech on behalf of the Council.
During the expert discussion the following issues were touched upon: the perception of Russia and its actions in the Middle East by the Arab countries; relations between the members of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf; the ambitions of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey for leadership positions in the region; the need for the development of regional mechanisms for conflict resolution. The discussion also focused on the domestic political processes, the specifics of the conservative Islamic political forces in the Arab countries, and their impact on the formation of the foreign policy agenda in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to develop contacts through expert diplomacy.
