HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has emphasised the role of Russia in finding a political settlement to the Syrian crisis and ending the suffering of the Syrian people.
Addressing a meeting at the State Duma Headquarters in Moscow, the Emir said: “We count on friends in Russia to find a solution to the Syrian people’s suffering and political settlement that meets the demands of the Syrian people.” “Qatar has indeed been supporting a political settlement from the first day”, he said adding: “In addition, we support all organisations and international initiatives aimed at finding a political solution in Syria provided that it shall be satisfactory to all parties.”  
Earlier on arrival, the Emir met the Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Sergey Naryshkin.  
At the outset of the meeting, Sergey Naryshkin welcomed the Emir and his accompanying delegation, stressing that the Emir’s visit constituted an important step in development of bilateral relations in the fields of politics, trade, energy and investment and will promote co-operation between the two countries in various fields.
The Emir expressed his pleasure at his first official visit to Moscow and thanked the Russian government and people for their warm reception.
The Emir described the Qatari-Russian relations as strong, solid and historic, noting that the two countries maintained co-operation in the fields of politics, investment, gas, energy and culture. He referred to the agreement signed earlier yesterday between the two countries in the field of culture.
The Emir praised Russia’s significant role in the Middle East and the world saying: “We count on Russia in helping the Palestinian people to have their legitimate rights  and in alleviating the suffering of the people of Gaza.”
Regarding terrorism, the Emir said: “We all condemn and fight terrorism, but the most important thing is that we have to identify terrorism and the terrorists”, adding that Qatar is part of an international anti-terror alliance and a member of the Islamic anti-terror alliance, which was recently founded by Saudi Arabia. He said there is no doubt that the fight against terrorism is important, “but fighting its emergence and causes are more important because if we did not fight such matters it will remain existing and we would not be able to end it permanently”.  
The meeting also discussed bilateral relations and means of developing them and expanding their fields, as well as issues of mutual concern.
The meeting was attended by the members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir and the State Duma members.
The Emir also met the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia, Valentina Matviyenko, at the Headquarters of the Council in Moscow.
Welcoming the Emir, Valentina Matviyenko explained that Qatar and Russia co-operate in various fields, and lauded the Emir’s personal role in supporting the efforts.
In a related context, she said the political dialogue between the two countries would enhance and spread peace and security in the Middle East, specially under the difficult circumstances the region is going through. She underlined the need for the exchange of views to find a solution to the issues of terror, the crisis in Syria and Yemen as well as the situation in Iraq. She pointed to the importance of the role of Qatar in the region.
Matviyenko also referred to Russia’s support of the political dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran, explaining that “Russia is against attacks on embassies and diplomatic missions.”
The Emir thanked Matviyenko for the invitation extended to him to visit the Council, pointing out to the importance of relations between Qatar and Russia. In this respect, he lauded the bilateral co-operation in the field on natural gas.
During the meeting, the Emir also referred to the enhancement of cultural co-operation and trade exchange between the two countries as well as in the field of the exchange of expertise in the sport field specially the organising of the Word Cup in Russia in 2018 and in Qatar in 2022.
The Emir pointed to the importance of the continuation of political dialogue between the two sides due to the accelerating developments in the Middle East.  In this respect, the Emir underlined the need for finding a political solution in Syria in accordance with the demands of the Syrian people.
The meeting also reviewed relations between Qatar and Russia and means of enhancing them.