Dubai: On his visit to Saudi Arabia and UAE this week, the Russian President brought along a rare and expensive gift to King Salman and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed.
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Vladimir Putin presented to the leaders one of the rarest falcons, the Kamchatka Gyrfalcon. Kamchatka is a 1,250 Km long peninsula in the Russian far east, and the Gyrfalcon is found in that area, famous for being excellent hunters.
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Hunting with falcons is a popular sport in Saudi Arabia, which recently hosted the second edition of the Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition in Riyadh last Tuesday as part of Riyadh Season.
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The one that was gifted to King Salman is named ‘Alpha’ after the North pole star.
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Putin gifted the birds during his visit to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, where he discussed bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
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Russia’s president said on Monday that Moscow is committed to developing bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia, which have been ongoing for the past 90 years.
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During Putin’s visit, Russia and Saudi Arabia signed 14 deals worth more than $2 billion and discussed the OPEC+ oil output agreement.
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Another Kamchatka Gyrfalcon was gifted to His Highness Shaikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
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The falcon holds a special place for UAE. It can be found on Emirati passports and governmental logos. It is the national bird and considered a symbol of valour and courage, and reflects the importance of falconry in Arab culture.
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The UAE on Tuesday hailed the visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and said it would have a great impact and present a quantum leap in the strategic partnership between both nations.
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“Dear brother and friend, I would like to welcome you and your honourable accompanying delegation and I hope your visit will have a great impact and present a quantum leap in our strategic partnership. I look forward to our future meetings,” Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, told a joint meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin held at Qasr Al Watan on Tuesday.
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