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Putin offers nuclear know-how to Riyadh

Atul Aneja

DUBAI: Russia has offered to work together with Saudi Arabia in the fields of atomic energy, high technology and transportation as part of its effort to anchor its ties with Riyadh.

According to the Russian news agency, Ria Novosti, Russian President Vladimir Putin has listed "metals, nuclear power, high technologies, and transportation infrastructure" as possible areas of cooperation.

"Unipolar world"

Mr. Putin's offer comes a month after Saudi Arabia showed an interest in pursuing nuclear technology. Russia is already building an atomic power station in Bushehr, Iran. "Russia is determined to enhance cooperation with the Islamic world," said Mr. Putin addressing a forum of Saudi and Russian businessmen on the second day of his visit to the Gulf Kingdom.

On the eve of his visit, Mr. Putin slammed American foreign policy and negative implications of a "unipolar" world at a security forum in Munich. Russia and Saudi Arabia were likely to arrive at a "verbal understanding" over the sale of 150 Russian T-90 tanks, officials said.

Saudi Arabia, key American ally, has mainly equipped its armed forces with western origin weaponry so far. Russia is also bidding for the construction of the longest railway line in West Asia, which would pass through Saudi Arabia. Mr. Putin also called for establishing a Saudi-Russian bank to promote investments and regulate funding.

Saudi Arabia has rolled out the red carpet for the Russian leader. On Sunday, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz hailed Mr. Putin as "a statesman, a man of peace, and a man of justice." Mr. Putin said Russia and Saudi Arabia should coordinate their energy policies. Analysts point out that Mr. Putin's remarks assume importance as the recent downturn in oil prices is affecting Russia — the second largest exporter of oil after Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia can influence oil prices, as it is the only oil producer in the world, which has a spare production capacity.

Mr. Putin said the Russian oil giant, Lukoil, was planning to invest more than $2 billion in new gas fields in Saudi Arabia. The company is prospecting for natural gas in Saudi Arabia under a 40-year contract that was signed in 2004.

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