Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with UAE Ambassador in Moscow Mohammed Al Jaber

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Bilateral relations

RUSSIA-UAE RELATIONS

Diplomatic relations between the USSR and the UAE were established on December 8, 1971. In 1986, the USSR opened its Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In 1987, the UAE opened its Embassy in Moscow. In December 1991, the UAE recognised the Russian Federation as the successor state of the USSR. The Russian Federation’s Consulate General has functioned in Dubai since 2002.

Russia-Emirates relations are characterised by a high level of political dialogue and an intensive exchange of delegations.

President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation paid the first ever Russian official visit to the UAE in September 2007.

UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum paid an official visit to Russia in March 2009 in return.

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Russia in September 2006, June 2009, October 2012, September 2013, October 2014, August and October 2015, March 2016, and April 2017.

As a result of the April 20, 2017 meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the parties approved a Statement of Intention to elevate Russia-Emirates relations to a strategic partnership.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov visited the UAE in February 2007, November 2011, February 2016, and February 2017. Sergey Lavrov paid his latest working visit to the Emirates on August 28-29, 2017. He was received by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He also met with UAE National Security Adviser Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan and held talks with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Moscow in October 2006, June 2010, February 2012, May 2015, and February and November 2016.

On March 28, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the Arab League summit in Sharm El Sheikh.

On May 25-26, 2016, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Mohammed Gargash was in Moscow for the fourth ministerial meeting within the framework of the Russia – Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) strategic dialogue.

On December 6-7, 2016, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov paid a working visit to the Emirates. On December 6, he was received by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He also met with UAE National Security Adviser Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Assistant Secretary-General of the UAE Supreme Council for National Security Ali Al Shamsi. On December 7, Mikhail Bogdanov held consultations with UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for Security and Military Affairs Faris Al Mazrouei.

Trade and economic cooperation: In 2016, Russia-UAE foreign trade, according to the Federal Customs Service of Russia (FCS), totaled $1,243.8 million, remaining at 2015 levels ($1,245.7 million), with Russian exports amounting to $971.1 million and imports to $272.7 million.

In the first half of 2017, mutual trade was worth $738 million, rising by 3.8 percent in comparison with the same period in 2016.

Based on accepted practices for bilateral trade between Russia and the UAE, the FCS statistics do not reflect re-exports of non-Emirati goods (such as transport vehicles and components) to the Russian market, which, according to expert estimates, comprises 30 percent of the entire commodity flow from the UAE to Russia.

The main exports: (over 70 percent of all supplies) precious metals and stones, oil products, wheat, ammunition for sport guns and hunting weapons, alloyed-steel rolled sheets, non-alloyed-steel angles or special sections, colour televisions, untreated aluminum, rolled craft paper and cardboard.

The main imports (over 80 percent of imports): tea, plastics and goods made from plastics, almonds, filtering equipment for liquids, rare-earth compounds, heating equipment, engines and power plants, spares for drilling or tunneling machines; ferrous metal manufactures, agricultural spraying and sprinkling equipment, glassware, machines and individual mechanical appliances, pumps and compressors, pipe and boiler fittings; hand-tools.

Russia and the Emirates are promoting investment cooperation. In 2013, at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, the Russian Fund for Direct Investment (RFDI) and the UAE’s Mubadala Investment Company created a platform for joint investment in Russia-based projects with a targeted amount of investment partnership worth up to $7 billion.

In January 2016, the RFDI and the UAE’s DP World, one of the world’s leading port operators, announced the establishment of DP World Russia joint venture with an aim to invest in Russia’s port, transport and logistical infrastructure. The relevant agreement was signed by RFDI Director General Kirill Dmitriyev and Group Chairman and CEO of DP World Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem at the International Economic Forum in Davos. DP World Russia will focus on investing up to $2 billion into seaports and transport and logistical terminals in various Russian regions.

The Intergovernmental Russia-Emirates Commission for Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation has functioned successfully since its establishment in 1994. The Commission’s co-chairs are Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov (since 2012) and UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (since 2006). The Commission held its first meeting in Abu Dhabi in March 1997. The second meeting took place in Moscow in June 2010, the third in Abu Dhabi in February 2013, the fourth in Moscow on October 10, 2014, and the fifth in Abu Dhabi on November 25-27, 2015. The sixth meeting was held in Moscow on November 7-9, 2016.

On January 21, 2014, the parties established a joint Working Group to monitor the implementation of the Intergovernmental Commission’s decisions (the WG is co-chaired by Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Georgy Kalamanov and UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Khalid Ghanim Al Ghaith). Specialised groups for regional and investment cooperation, for industry, for investment and innovation, and for cooperation in the aluminum industry have been established and started operations.

Russian Minister of Industry and Trade and co-chair of the Intergovernmental Commission Denis Manturov visits the UAE regularly. Mr. Manturov led the Russian delegation to IDEX 2017, an international defence exhibition held in Abu Dhabi, on February 19-23, 2017. During the visit, he was received by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and met with Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Presidential Orchestra of the Moscow Kremlin Commandant Service, a division of the Federal Guard Service, played for the first time at the exhibition opening ceremony.

UAE Minister of Energy Suhail Al Mazrouei was on a working visit to Russia between March 30 and April 1, 2016 to attend the second meeting of the Russia-UAE Working Group for Regional and Investment Cooperation.

First Deputy Energy Minister of Russia Alexey Teksler attended the seventh session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as a full-fledged participant and met with Mr. Suhail Al Mazrouei and IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin on the sidelines of the event.

The Russia-Emirates Business Council was established in September 2005. The BC chair is Arsen Kanokov, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council International Affairs Committee.

Russian business operators are strengthening their positions on the Emirati market. There are about 40 offices of Russian companies operating in the UAE, including Rosneft, Lukoil Overseas Ltd., VTB Capital, Volga-Dnieper, Kurganmashzavod, Amtel, Stroitransgaz, Metallurgical Pipe Company, Interkomholding, Alrosa, Metalloinvest, INTER RAO UES, KAMAZ, and others.

In November 2015, Dubai hosted the first session of the Russian Economic and Financial Forum, which was attended by Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Yevgeny Bushmin, First Deputy Chairperson of the State Duma Committee for International Affairs Svetlana Zhurova, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Oleg Fomichyov, Deputy Finance Minister Sergey Shatalov as well as Russian business people and experts.

Russian Minister of Agriculture Alexander Tkachyov led the Russian delegation to the 21^st Gulf international food and hospitality industry exhibition, Gulfood 2016, which was held in Dubai on February 21-25, 2016.

Russia and the UAE maintain inter-parliamentary contact. In May 2008, Speaker of the House of the UAE Federal National Council (Parliament) Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair visited Moscow at the invitation of the Russian State Duma Speaker.

On April 26-27, a Federation Council delegation, including Igor Morozov, a member of the International Affairs Committee, and Mikhail Sinitsyn, chief adviser for the International Affairs Committee, was in Dubai for a regional conference of compatriots living in the Middle East and Africa.

On February 16, 2016, a Federation Council delegation led by Federation Council Deputy Speaker Ilyas Umakhanov paid a working visit to the UAE, where he met with President of the Federal National Council Amal Al Qubaisi, who was presented an invitation to visit Russia from Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko.

On April 13-14, 2016, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko paid an official visit to the UAE. She was received by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and by Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. She also held talks with President of the Federal National Council Amal Al Qubaisi.

On June 1-4, 2016, Ms. Amal Al Qubaisi paid a return visit to the Russian Federation, where she visited Moscow and St. Petersburg. The FNC President was received by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev; she also met with Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Chairperson Sergey Naryshkin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, and RFDI Director-General Kirill Dmitriyev.

On December 11-13, 2016, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko led a Federation Council delegation to Abu Dhabi to participate in the 11^th Meeting of Women Speakers of Parliament, an event organised by the UAE Federal National Council and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, in which over 30 women speakers and vice speakers of parliaments and inter-parliamentary associations participated. On December 11, Valentina Matviyenko held another meeting with President of the Federal National Council Amal Al Qubaisi on the sidelines of the forum, which resulted in the signing of an agreement on inter-parliamentary cooperation between the Federation Council and the UAE Federal National Council.

Regions of the Russian Federation are also involved in developing Russia-UAE ties. Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov regularly visits the Emirates. Leaders from Tatarstan also attach much importance to cooperation with the Emirates.

On February 5-7, 2017, a delegation of the Ministry for the North Caucasus led by Minister Lev Kuznetsov paid a working visit to the UAE, where the delegation met with Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention Dr Mohamed Salim Al Olama and the management of the Dubai Healthcare City.

Bilateral cooperation in science, culture and education is underway. In August 2007, Chelyabinsk University and Al Ain University of Science and Technology signed a cooperation agreement.

The UAE shows much interest in Russian culture, as confirmed by the large number of events involving performers from Russia that are held in the UAE. Peace International Youth Orchestra under the well-known Russian conductor Valery Gergiev performed in the UAE capital in January 2011. In April 2014, Dubai hosted a concert of operatic singer Julia Novikova. Vladimir Spivakov’s Virtuosos of Moscow performed in Dubai in February 2015 and Yury Bashmet’s Soloists of Moscow in October 2015. In December 2015, Abu Dhabi hosted a concert by the State Folk Music Ensemble from the Republic of Tatarstan. In January 2016, the first international Caucasian dance festival was held in Dubai as part of the Dubai Trade Festival, in which the Dagestan State Song and Dance Ensemble, the Elbrus State Dance Ensemble of the Karachayevo-Circassian Republic, Moscow’s Ansar Dance Ensemble, and a number of dance companies from CIS countries participated. In September 2016, the Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theater was on tour in the UAE, where it performed on the stage of the recently opened Dubai Opera.

On December 8, 2016, the Russian Pavilion at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival hosted a gala concert dedicated to the 45^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and the UAE. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sent a message of greetings to the festival participants and guests.

Tourist exchanges are traditionally a significant component in humanitarian cooperation between the two countries. In December 2015, Russia opened its national tourist office, Visit Russia, in Dubai as part of efforts to attract Emirati tourists to the Russian Federation.

On March 26-27, 2016, Russian Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky was on a working visit to Dubai, where he met with representatives of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commercial Marketing and local airlines, including FlyDubai. Mr. Medinsky also visited the Visit Russia office.

On February 1, 2017, the new UAE visa regulations came into force introducing a simplified entry procedure for Russian holders of ordinary foreign travel passports, who can now obtain a single entry/exit visa valid for 30 days at all UAE border checkpoints.

The Russian media have shored up their positions in the UAE. RIA Novosti and Rusiya Al-Yaum TV channel have opened offices in Dubai. Russian Radio in the Arab Emirates has been broadcasting in the UAE since 2009. The Anba Muscu (Moscow News), a monthly Russian newspaper in Arabic (with a circulation of 150,000), is also published in the UAE.

The Arabian Peninsula’s first church of the Russian Orthodox Church and its cultural and educational centre have functioned in the Emirate of Sharjah since August 2011.

Russia and the UAE have signed a number of agreements: on trade, economic and technical cooperation (1990); on a simplified entry/exit procedure for aircraft crews (2004); on military-technical cooperation (2006); on air traffic (2007); on anti-crime cooperation (2007); on repayment of the former USSR’s debts (2007); on reciprocal visa waiver for diplomatic passport holders (2010); on the encouragement and reciprocal protection of investment (2010); on the reciprocal protection of classified information (2011); on an investment income tax to be levied on contracting states and their financial and investment institutions (2011); on cooperation in the area of peaceful use of atomic energy (2012); and on extradition and reciprocal legal assistance in criminal cases (2014).

The parties have signed the following memoranda: on mutual understanding regarding cooperation in the areas of standardisation, metrology and evaluating conformity between the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology and the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (2007); on consultations between foreign ministries (2007); on mutual understanding between the Federal Space Agency and the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (2007); on space exploration for peace (2007); on cooperation between the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and the UAE Ministry of Economy (2014); on mutual understanding and cooperation in higher education and research between the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia and the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (2014); on mutual understanding between the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roskosmos) and the UAE Space Agency (2015); on sports cooperation between the Russian Ministry of Sport and the UAE General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare; on mutual understanding in the area of intellectual property between the Federal Service for Intellectual Property and the UAE Ministry of Economy (2015); and, on mutual understanding regarding cooperation in the area of standardisation and metrology between the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology and the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (2016).

the United Arab Emirates

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

General information: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federative state located on the eastern Arabian Peninsula on the coast of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. In the north, south and west, the UAE borders Saudi Arabia, and in the east, Oman. The UAE has a maritime border with Iran, with which it is engaged in a territorial dispute over three Gulf islands – Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa.

Area: 83,600 square kilometers, including 200 small islands. Most of it is a flat sand desert.

Climate: The UAE has a subtropical climate with a hot and humid summer and a warm winter. Precipitation is infrequent, averaging 65 mm per year.

The UAE includes seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm al-Quwain. The biggest emirates are Abu Dhabi and Dubai (86.7 percent and 5 percent of the area, respectively).

Capital: Abu Dhabi (over 1.5 million people); Dubai is the most important trade and economic centre (over 2 million people). Other big cities are Sharjah and Al Ain (Emirate of Abu Dhabi).

Population: About 8,500,000, including no more than 1,000,000 indigenous Emiratis. The share of indigenous residents steadily declines as a result of the continuing active recruitment of a foreign workforce.

There are some 4,700,000 South Asians, including Indians (about 2.6 million), Pakistanis (1.5 millioin), Bangladeshis and the Nepalese residing in the UAE. Over 1.3 million hail from other Asian states, including Iranians (about 500,000), Afghans, Filipinos, Thais, and Malayans. The Chinese (over 200,000) and Vietnamese diasporas are growing rather quickly. Standing out among Arabs are Egyptians (about 250,000), Lebanese (100,000), Syrians, Jordanians, Iraqis, and Yemenis. All told, the share of indigenous Emiratis and other Arabs in the UAE population is about 30 percent.

The number of Westerners residing in the UAE is estimated at around 600,000, including the British (over 200,000), Canadians (27,000), the French (25,000), and Australians.

There are also about 25,000 ethnic Russians, while the number of Russian speakers totals over 40,000.

Official language: Arabic. English is widespread, as are Hindi and Urdu in certain areas.

Religion: Sunni Islam. Nearly 20 percent of the population, including indigenous residents, are Shiites, and 10 percent are Hindus and Christians (foreigners). The government pursues a highly tolerant policy towards other faiths. The UAE has over two dozen Christian churches, including Protestant, Roman Catholic, Coptic, Greek, and others. A Russian Orthodox parish of the Moscow Patriarchy has functioned in Sharjah since 2011.

National holiday: December 2, UAE National Day (the UAE was established on that day in 1971).

Currency: The dirham (1AED = 100 fils = 0.27 US dollar).

Background: The territory of what is today the United Arab Emirates was the traditional domain of nomadic tribes hailing from the central Arabian Peninsula. In the early 19^th century, the region known as the “Pirate Coast” (due to numerous pirate attacks on merchant ships) became a target of British expansion, with Britain seeking to secure safe access to India and energize its trade with Iran.

In 1820, the British signed an “eternal peace” treaty with the sheikhs of the most influential local tribes. As a result of this and subsequent agreements (1853 and 1892), the territory was renamed Trucial Oman and in effect turned into a British protectorate.

In 1913, shortly before the start of World War I, Britain and Turkey signed a convention, whereby the former got the exclusive right to Trucial Oman. In 1922, under a special agreement, Britain came to control the issue of oil exploration and production concessions. In 1937, British petroleum companies obtained concessions in Dubai and Sharjah; in 1938, in Ras al-Khaimah; and in 1939, in Abu Dhabi and Ajman.

During World War II, the Trucial Oman emirates maintained their neutrality. At the same time, this period was marked by the growth of anti-colonial sentiments. There were cases of demonstrative disobedience to the British administration in Abu Dhabi and Ras al-Khaimah and armed clashes in Sharjah.

After the war, the British took steps to integrate the emirates. In 1965, British authorities invited the rulers of seven emirates to a meeting in Dubai, at which it was decided to form the Economic Development Council. In 1968, faced with a surge of anti-British sentiment, the British government announced the withdrawal of its troops from the Persian Gulf area until 1971 and the transfer of power to the local rulers.

On December 2, 1971, the establishment of the United Arab Emirates was proclaimed in Dubai. In early 1972, the seventh emirate, Ras al-Khaimah, joined the federation.

Political system: The UAE is a federation. Under the Constitution, the supreme body of power in the federation is the Federal Supreme Council composed of the emirate rulers who elect the President for five years. The President, in turn, appoints the Prime Minister. By tradition, the President is the ruler of Abu Dhabi and the Prime Minister, the ruler of Dubai. The federal centre (Abu Dhabi) is in charge of internal security as well as foreign, defence, financial and customs policies; it also implements national special socioeconomic development programmes.

Each of the seven emirates is an absolute monarchy, enjoys considerable independence and exercises sovereignty over its lands and territorial waters. Each emirate has a government (executive council) that focuses on economy, education, culture, healthcare, housing and utilities, and pensions.

The provisional constitution, which was approved on December 2, 1971, along with the proclamation of the UAE, was endorsed by the UAE Federal Supreme Council as permanent on May 20, 1996.

After the death in November 2004 of Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and first President of the UAE, his son, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was elected President.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces is Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has combined the offices of Vice President and Prime Minister since January 2006 (succeeding his elder brother Maktoum, who died in January 2006).

Appointed by the head of state, the Prime Minister forms the government (Council of Ministers) and submits the list of nominees to the President for approval. Regular structural and personnel changes in the Cabinet were made in February 2016. There are 29 government portfolios, with women holding eight of these posts. An executive authority, the government is also the main contributor to the legislative process, drafting bills that after consultations with the Federal National Council (FNC) are sent to the President for approval.

The FNC is a deliberative body of parliamentary type deprived of the legislative initiative; its comments on federal draft laws serve as recommendations. Under the Constitution, the FNC was established in 1972 and has 40 members (20 appointed and 20 elected), with eight and eight contributed by Abu Dhabi and Dubai, six and six by Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah, and four by each of the other emirates. The deputies are mostly representatives of influential tribes, the business community, and professionals. They are elected for a term of four years.

The latest elections to the FNC were held on October 3, 2015. The appointment of another 20 deputies by the emirate rulers was completed on November 16, 2015. In the same month, Abu Dhabi hosted the first meeting of the newly formed FNC. On November 18, 2015, Amal Al Qubaisi, former FNC Vice-Speaker and former chairwoman of Abu Dhabi Education Council, was elected FNC President.

The FNC is a member of both the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union and maintains contacts with parliaments in other countries.

Judiciary authority in the UAE is represented by the Federal Supreme Court (FSC), courts of the first instance and second instance, as well as courts in individual emirates. The FSC consists of five judges appointed by the UAE Supreme Council. There is also a network of Sharia courts used mostly for registering acts of civil status and judging matters pertaining to family law.

Domestic politics: The situation inside the federation remains stable. Faced with increased tensions elsewhere in the region and the growing influence of radical Islam, the government takes preventive measures against extremist moods. Emerging terror cells are identified and nipped in the bud.

The government is doing much to strengthen the federal centre and federal principles, including by subsidising the less developed northern emirates.

Socioeconomic status: The oil sector is the basis of the national economy (nearly 30 percent of the GDP). The Emirates are sixth in the world in terms of prospected oil reserves (97.8 billion barrels) and fifth in terms of natural gas reserves (6.1 trillion cubic metres). Abu Dhabi accounts for most of the country’s hydrocarbon reserves (95 percent). The average annual rate of oil production is 2.9 million barrels per day.

The UAE is second in the region after Saudi Arabia in terms of industrial production. The country has over 700 companies engaged in the oil-and-gas, chemical, iron-and-steel, ship repair, cement, consumer good, food and other industries.

The agricultural sector employs 5 percent of the population and its GDP share is approaching 6 percent. Local production meets between 25 and 40 percent of national demand for meat and milk products and up to 90 percent for fish. About 80 percent of all required food is imported.

The government’s diversification policy encourages rapid progress in civil aviation, space research, communications, foreign trade logistics, transport and tourism. Much has been done lately to develop and introduce alternative and “clean” power generation.

Diversified free economic zones (about 40, mostly located in Dubai) help to maintain a high level of economic activity. Companies from all over the world are attracted by easy tax terms, a well-developed infrastructure, 100-percent foreign ownership of companies and free repatriation of money. Up to 80 percent of non-oil exports go through free economic zones.

The UAE is among the world’s biggest net exporters of capital. Assets of UAE national prosperity funds (Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Mubadala Investment Company, International Petroleum Investment Company, and others) amount to billions of US dollars. These funds are also a reliable safety cushion for the national economy and finance.

Despite the persisting aftermath of the world financial crisis, the UAE macroeconomic indices are in the green. In 2016, its GDP grew by 3 percent in real terms (minus inflation) to $374.2 billion.

The UAE is at the same level with advanced countries in terms of life expectancy (74 years for men, 78.3 years for women) and infant mortality (13.15 per thousand births). The literacy level is approaching 95 percent.

Foreign trade: In 2016, it grew by an estimated several percentage points to $552 billion, with free economic zones accounting for about a third of this volume.

The UAE pursues a liberal foreign trade policy. The only existing ban is on trading with Israel. There is a single 5 percent customs duty on all commodities.

Apart from oil (the main buyers are Japan, South Korea and Thailand), the UAE exports petrochemicals, aluminum, precious metals and stones, plastic products, textiles, fertilizer, cement, and dates. It imports machinery and equipment, transport vehicles, household appliances, finished goods and food.

Its re-exports, half of which consists of machines and equipment, are twice as expensive as its own exports.

The UAE’s main non-oil trade partners are India, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia. Its non-oil imports come from India, China, the United States, Germany, and Japan. It re-exports to India, Iran and Iraq.

Foreign policy: The UAE is a member of the UN, League of Arab States (LAS), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and a number of other international organisations.

The Emirates seek to form a favourable external environment and create conditions for stable socioeconomic development at home. The UAE is focused on strengthening stability and security in the Gulf and the Middle East as a whole and on effective countermeasures against the growing terrorist threat.

Abu Dhabi’s foreign policy is flexible and pragmatic and it seeks to achieve a higher profile in regional and international affairs. The UAE was the first Arab and Gulf country to open the headquarters of the Emirati mission to NATO in Brussels, obtained observer status in the African Union, and joined an informal association of states advocating the full elimination of nuclear weapons. Owing to the purposeful efforts by the Emirati authorities, the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is located in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE is a member of the International Syria Support Group and the US-led anti-ISIS coalition.

The Emirates continue to accuse Tehran of interference in the internal affairs of other Arab states. The UAE’s bilateral relations with Iran are aggravated by a territorial dispute over three Gulf islands (Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunbs).

Iranian expansion in the Arabian Peninsula is also invoked to explain the Emirati involvement in the Inter-Arab Coalition’s operations against the Houthis in Yemen, where the UAE has been playing a key role in preparing and conducting combat operations and providing the YR with humanitarian aid and technical assistance.

The UAE has advanced relations with a number of leading Western states, primarily the United States. On a majority of regional and global issues, the Emirates are allied with their GCC partners, above all Saudi Arabia.

In a bid to balance its pro-western tilt that is not always comfortable for the Emirates, Abu Dhabi consistently expands the geography of its foreign ties. Its contacts with states in Asia, Latin America and Africa have gained momentum. Cooperation with CIS members, primarily Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, is gaining traction.

The Emirates consistently advocate the resumption of the peace process in the Middle East, the main landmarks for their approaches to Middle East settlement being the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Russia-UAE relations: Diplomatic relations between the USSR and the UAE were established on December 8, 1971. In 1986, the USSR opened its embassy in Abu Dhabi. The UAE opened its embassy in Moscow in 1987. In December 1991, the UAE recognised the Russian Federation as the successor of the USSR. The Russian Federation’s General Consulate has functioned in Dubai since 2002.

Anthem

United Arab Emirates

Embassy of Russia in Abu Dhabi

Address :: UAE, Abu Dhabi, P.O. box 8211, Khalifa street., East Plots 65/67, building of the Russian Embassy

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Phone :: +971 50-463-54-80
Hotline :: +971 50-865-27-01
Fax: +971 2 678-87-31
E-mail: rusembuae@mail.ru
Web: https://uae.mid.ru/; Twitter; Facebook; Telegram; Vkontakte

United Arab Emirates

Consular Division of the Russian Embassy in Abu Dhabi

Address :: Abu Dhabi, P.O. box 8211, Khalifa street, East Plots 65/67, building of the Russian Embassy

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Phone :: +971 2 672-35-16
Fax: +971 2 678-87-31
E-mail: consrusembuae@gmail.com

United Arab Emirates

Consulate General of Russia in Dubai

Address :: Dubai, Al Safa 2, 18C street, villa 58.

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Phone :: +971 4 328-53-47
Hotline :: +971 50 454-77-54
Fax: +971 4 328-56-15
E-mail: condubai@mid.ru
Web: https://dubai.mid.ru/; Twitter; Facebook; Youtube; Telegram; Instagram

United Arab Emirates

Embassy of United Arab Emirates to the Russian Federation

Address:: 115127, г. Москва, ул. Улофа Пальме, 4

Phone:: +7 495 234-40-60; +7 499 147-62-86; +7 495 234-40-60; +7 499 147-62-86 (Консульский отдел); +7 499 241-91-44 (Бюро Военного Атташе)
Fax: +7 499 241-91-44, +7 495 234-40-70 (Консульский отдел), +7 499 241-71-38
+7 499 241-94-51 (Бюро Военного Атташе)
E-mail: uae@uae-embassy.ru; consuldep@uae-embassy.ru (Консульский отдел)