Sharjah: The Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC), led by Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Council, paid an official visit to the Moscow City Duma, the city's parliament, to bolster parliamentary cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and Russia. This diplomatic endeavor underscores the ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations.
According to Emirates News Agency, the visiting delegation comprised Council members Engineer Jamila Al Fandi Al Shamsi, Rashid Abdullah Bin Huwaiden, Amer Mohammed Al Zarouni, and Mohammed Ali Al Mannai. They were accompanied by Dr. Islam Al Shiwi, the Council's media expert from the General Secretariat. The delegation was warmly received by Alexei Shaposhnikov, Speaker of the State Duma, his deputy Stepan Orlov, and various heads of Duma committees, reflecting the strong Emirati-Russian relations.
The visit commenced with a tour of the historic Duma, where the delegation explored an exhibition showcasing rare documents and paintings that narrate the story of local governance in Moscow over two centuries. This provided insights into the rich parliamentary heritage of the Russian capital.
During the main meeting, the Duma Speaker presented the organisational structure of the Moscow City Council, which consists of 45 deputies elected for five-year terms and operates through 15 specialized committees. He highlighted the Duma's pioneering role in technology adoption, noting its transition to remote work in May 2020 while maintaining legislative oversight.
The Speaker also emphasized Russia's longstanding strategic partnership with the UAE, marked by agreements and collaborations across various fields. This partnership has seen significant growth, particularly in advanced energy, modern technology, and sustainability, positioning the UAE as a key trading partner for Russia.
Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi conveyed greetings from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to the Russian leadership. He reiterated SCC's commitment to enhancing cooperation with Moscow, highlighting the potential for strategic partnerships due to the similarity in parliamentary functions between the two councils. He proposed forming joint working groups to focus on cultural and intellectual development, as well as tackling pressing issues like sustainability and climate change.
The meeting concluded with discussions on strengthening cooperation in parliamentary fields, focusing on exchanging legislative expertise to serve the future development goals of both sides. The visit ended with an exchange of commemorative shields, symbolizing the deep-rooted friendship and shared aspirations for a collaborative future, reflecting the historical depth of Emirati-Russian relations and the desire to enhance ties between Sharjah and Moscow.