Qatar, Russia sign defence agreement

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met with Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu and his accompanying delegation at his office at Al Bahr Palace yesterday evening.At the outset of the meeting, the Russian minister conveyed the greetings of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wishes to the Emir and the Qatari people of continued progress and prosperity.The Emir urged the Russian minister to convey his greetings and wishes to the Russian president and the friendly Russian people of further development and prosperity.Talks during the meeting covered bilateral relations and means of enhancing prospects of military co-operation.The meeting also discussed a number of regional and international issues, in particular the Gulf crisis and its implications for regional security, as well as the developments in the situation in Syria and the international efforts to end the inhuman situation and the sufferings of the brotherly Syrian people.The meeting also touched on the situation in Libya, and the efforts of Qatar and the international community to find urgent solutions to the crises of the region by establishing security and stability and combating terrorism and extremism. HE the Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah also met with the Russian defence minister and his accompanying delegation. The meeting discussed bilateral relations and means of promoting co-operation in the defence and military fields, as well as ways to develop capacities in all areas.The latest developments in the field of defence and the exchange of experiences and military training courses were also reviewed during the meeting.A technical military co-operation agreement, as well as a memorandum of understanding relating to air defence, and a legal contract on general conditions for military supplies were signed by  the ministers.The meeting also touched on the current developments in the region, particularly the Gulf and Syrian crises. The two sides also reviewed the efforts of the two countries in the fight against terrorism and extremism.At the end of the meeting, the two sides praised the distinguished relations between the two friendly countries and their great and continuous development in all economic, investment and cultural fields, as well as the military technical co-operation.