SGIA first-year students attending the Russian Foreign Minister's lecture at MGIMO-University

On top of that, the SGIA freshmen - Mohammed Abdullah Mohammed Balabed Al Dhaheri (محمد عبدالله محمد بالعبد الظاهري) has got a chance to ask Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Victorovich his question.

Mohammed: In accordance with Johannesburg declaration issued in the wake of 15th BRICS-Summit my country - the United Arab Emirates - was invited to join the club from January 1st, 2024. What impact will the decision have on BRICS in general and on UAE-Russia relations in particular?

Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov: The answer is very easy. It will be a very positive influence both on our bilateral relations and on the relations between the United Arab Emirates and the rest of the BRICS-family. The Emirates last year last year became number one trade partner of Russia in the entire Arab world, in the Arab League. I think it's close to 10 billion dollars a year and growing and the reason for this successful cooperation is that both the United Arab Emirates and the Russian Federation proceed from the national interest and would not tolerate any pressure which would sacrifice the national interest and the interest of development of our economies and people. So the future is very bright and I understand that today, we are going to attend another ceremony, where the UAE-Ambassador together with the rector and myself will open the UAE-Centre here in MGIMO. This is the manifestation of new Avenue of our partnership.

The SGIA administration and students thank Sergey Viktorovich for his fascinating lecture.