Russian ambassador Nurmakhmad Kholov has appreciated his compatriots in Qatar for the interest they have shown to come together under a community platform, Russian Doha.
He was speaking at a gathering held at The Diplomatic Club on Friday for the first meeting of the Co-ordination Council of Russian Compatriots in Qatar.
“The determination of overseas Russian compatriots to unite and establish their organisations has become the spirit of the times. Around the world, there are already 50 or so such organisations representing Russian expatriates. And they have one noble goal - that is to preserve and strengthen historical, scientific, cultural and business links with the Russian Federation,” he said.
“In other words, it is being done to retain their ethno-cultural identity. This day will come in the history of Russia and the Russian community in the State of Qatar. We are gathered here to have such a forum for the first time in Qatar,” said Kholov to the loud cheers of the community members.
The Russian state welcomes and appreciates the endeavours of their compatriots in Qatar to close their ranks and demonstrate an active participation in the progressive development of Russian-Qatari relations, he said.
The envoy said Russian President Vladimir Putin was giving special consideration to working with the country’s compatriots and this was one of the priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, said Kholov.
The ambassador added that it was not a mere coincidence that the head of the governmental commission on Russian compatriots was the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, himself.
Kholov said it is a pleasure for him to witness that many Russian compatriots in Qatar have come to celebrate an important occasion like the formation of an organisation.
The ambassador explained that his compatriots have complete support from both Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage for the formation of an organisation such as the co-ordination council.
The Co-ordination Council of the Russian Compatriots, which aims to consolidate and promote the cultural and social activities of the community’s diaspora, came into being this year.
The history of Russian-Qatari relations, he said, began in 1988. It has come a long way and significant success has been achieved. “Our community in Doha, which includes engineers, constructors, teachers, sportsmen, coaches, musicians, artists and businessmen, is growing remarkably.”
Kholov expressed gratitude to old-timers among Russians in Qatar, who lived here for more than 30 years. “It’s very important to underline that the Russian-speaking community here exceeds 7,000 people,” he said. “This week, we have received confirmation from the Qatari side that a building to accommodate the Russian Cultural Centre in Doha will be sanctioned shortly.”
The envoy said Russian-Qatari relations enjoy positive dynamics these days. “With the participation of Russia, the headquarters of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum was opened in Doha and the regional office of Gazprom was also established.”
He also spoke about travel and tourism opportunities for the two countries.
Kholov expressed gratitude to HE the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, HE the Assistant Foreign Minister for Follow Up Affairs Mohamed al-Rumaihi, director of the Protocol Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Fakhroo, The Diplomatic Club and the Co-ordination Council of the Russian Compatriots in Qatar for their assistance in hosting Friday’s event.
