UAE 'keen to boost ties with Russia'

Abu Dhabi: General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, yesterday received Sergay Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister who is touring a number of countries in the region.

Shaikh Mohammad welcomed the Russian Minister and his accompanying delegation, emphasising the UAE's keenness to promote mutual relations and cooperation on all levels.

The Russian minister conveyed the greetings and warm wishes of Russian President Vladimir Putin to President His Highness Shakh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Shaikh Mohammad.

He also discussed his recent visit to a number of countries in the region in an effort to find a solution to the Iranian nuclear dossier.

Lavrov was also received yesterday by Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

Shaikh Abdullah briefed Lavrov on the forthcoming visit by the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council to Vienna to discuss the cooperation steps of the GCC with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Lavrov said Russia respects efforts by Arab Gulf countries to acquire nuclear energy sources and has confidence they will put their nuclear programmes under IAEA supervision, in line with the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.