Moscow, April 17 (QNA) - Russian political and economic expert and analyst Murad Sadygzade affirmed that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's visit to the Russian Federation represents an important stage and a new phase in relations between the two countries.

In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), President and Founder of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies and Head of the Centre for Education and Cooperation of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Murad Sadygzade said that this visit represents a step toward elevating relations between the two countries to a strategic partnership, especially following the start of the military operation in Ukraine and the global crises.

Today, Doha is one of the world's most important centers and plays a pivotal role in resolving conflicts at the regional and international levels, Sadygzade said. He pointed out that Russia views Qatar's role in mediation, conflict resolution, and the humanitarian field with respect and appreciation, particularly with regard to the success of Qatar's mediation between Russia and Ukraine to reunite children with their families.

He stressed the particular importance attached to the continuation of dialogue between Doha and Moscow, both in economic and political affairs, pointing to the recent meetings between HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and HE President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan.

The current visit is unique in its nature and comes at this stage to elevate relations to a new level because it comes amid a different international situation, particularly regarding the Ukrainian crisis and the ongoing talk of settling it through political negotiations, Sadygzade added.

The President and Founder of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies noted that Russia always views friendly countries with utmost appreciation and respect, and appreciates the role played by Qatar at the international level in efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. Therefore, this visit reaffirms the importance and value of relations between Moscow and Doha.

Regarding the most prominent issues to be discussed during the visit, the political expert noted that the leaders of the two countries will first discuss the situation in Syria, and the crisis in the Gaza Strip, as well as the developments in the talks between Tehran and Washington. He indicated that Russia, despite its conservative foreign policy, always views with pain what is happening in the Middle East, what is happening in the Palestinian territories and the Gaza Strip, and how innocent people and victims are falling there.

The expert hailed the State of Qatar's important role and its efforts to stop the bloodshed in the Middle East and bring peace to the Gaza Strip, adding that Russia is endeavoring to exert its efforts, whether through the United Nations platform or through relations with various countries to play a role in ending this tragedy.

The visit is also expected to discuss mechanisms for developing economic and political cooperation, including mechanisms for mitigating the impact of the tense international situation on the development of cooperation between the two countries, he added.

Regarding the possibility of the visit enhancing cooperation in the economic field, such as investment, infrastructure, education, and technology, between Qatar and Russia, Sadygzade stressed the importance of establishing a political basis for interaction between the two countries. He added that before beginning to expand economic cooperation, the level of political relations must be elevated to that of a strategic partnership, as a strategic partnership represents a transitional moment from normal relations between countries to alliance relations.

He emphasized the importance of cooperation and coordination between Qatar and Russia, particularly in the energy sector, pointing to the Qatar Investment Authority's investments in the Russian company Rosneft. He noted that if sanctions on Russia were lifted, investment cooperation between the two countries would grow significantly in the coming years.

Sadygzade highlighted the cooperation between the two in the agricultural sector and referred to the latest data, in which Russian agricultural exports to Qatar increased by 50% last year, stressing that there are other areas where cooperation can also be developed and expanded.

He noted that over the past year, Russian companies' desire to open branches or subsidiaries in Qatar has increased by one and a half times. These companies view the Qatari market as a promising market in a number of areas, and Russian companies view Qatar as a global trading hub from which to launch global trade in various fields, he said. (QNA)