ABU DHABI, Sept 10: Russian President Vladimir Putin, heading a large business delegation, held talks on boosting economic links with the oil-rich United Arab Emirates on Monday.

On the first visit by a Russian head of state since the UAE won independence from Britain in 1971, the Russian leader met his Emirati counterpart President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan.

They discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties and presided over the signing of several cooperation agreements, the state news agency WAM said.

“The UAE is keen to create more opportunities for partnership, cooperation and friendship with Russia, especially in the economic, commercial and investment fields,” it quoted Sheikh Khalifa as saying during the talks.

The agreements and memoranda of understanding signed on Monday included fighting crime and money-laundering, political consultation, astronomy cooperation and banking, WAM reported.

Putin said his government aimed to consolidate relations with the six oil-rich nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

“Russia sees the UAE as an important economic, commercial and investment partner in the region,” WAM quoted the Russian president as saying.

Putin was accompanied by the director of Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport, as well as those of the airline Aeroflot and space agency Roskosmos.

The two leaders discussed developments in the Middle East peace process and war-torn Iraq, WAM said.—AFP