http://www.english.hadhramaut.info President Saleh welcomes Russian investments in Yemen [The Source: www.sabanews.net - 28/2/2009] President Ali Abdullah Saleh has renewed Yemen's welcome to Russian investments in fields of generating electric energy, fisheries, oil and gas. He affirmed that these investments will receive all facilitations. Over fighting piracy in the Gulf of Aden, President Saleh affirmed the importance of doubling international efforts for fighting piracy in this vital area. He made it clear that Yemen has already called for establishing an international center in Aden city for exchanging information and providing necessary support and facilitations for fighting piracy. Russia's Vremya Novostei newspaper conducted the following interview with the president for more about his visit to Russia. Q: What is the importance of your current visit to Russia? A: This visit is successful by all standards and has significant importance due to the historical relations linking the two countries. These relations started with the previous USSR. Now these relations are being boosted with the Russian Federation in the light of the fruitful outcomes of this visit which embody a joint desire and keenness for promoting relations between the two countries in different fields. Q: You announced that Yemen welcomes the investments of Russian companies in the fields of oil, gas and electricity, why only Russia? Are there very projects you want to invest? A: We welcome Russian investments in all fields, especially in gas and oil. We are interested to have Russian partners in different fields. We have discussed these economic topics with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and informed him on Yemen's welcome to Russian different investments in oil, fisheries, generating electricity with gas and others. Q: But there are American and Chinese investments and there is no chance to Russian investments in Yemen? A: There is no malfunction from the Yemeni part. These negotiations will find their way for implementation. We want the Russian investment companies to invest in Yemen and we will provide them all facilitations. Q: Given that you are expert in military equipments, how do you evaluate Russian MiG-29 jets? Does your country intend to buy arms, as it is circulated? A: The performance of MiG-29 jets is superior. Yemen has bought a number of these jets but they have been returned to Moscow for updating them. Now, we are negotiating with the Russian part for buying other jets of the same model and modern and new fashion of helicopters, M 35 and M 174 as well as boats and transportations from the Russian company. Q: Yemen plays an important role in Palestinian reconciliation, what is required for bringing it into success? A: We are exerting efforts with our brothers in Palestine for healing the Palestinian rift and reunification. Palestinian's split affects negatively Arab-Arab reconciliation and makes rift in Arab- Islamic relations in general. We have called the main parties to sponsor Palestinian reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas movements and the rest of other parties. These parties are Egypt, Syria and Turkey. These countries have different effects on Palestinian factions. Q: What is needed for fighting piracy in the Gulf of Aden and in South of the Red Sea? A: What is needed is doubling international efforts for fighting piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the African Horn area. Yemen has previously called for establishing regional center in Aden for exchanging information and providing necessary support and facilitations for fighting this piracy. This includes providing facilitations to Russian Federation. Q: Do you not fear the existence of marine navies in the area? A: We do not fear of anything as their existence is for clear duty and do no exist in way evoking fear. Q: Do you welcome the decision of US President over closing Guanatanamo prison? A: We welcome this decision and we renew call of speeding up extraditing the 94 Yemeni detainees in this prison to Yemen for requalifying them and integrating them in the society. Q: Do you intend to call the Russian President to visit Yemen? A: There is insistence from Yemen to the Russian President and the Prime Minister to visit the country. We hope this happen. Such visits enhance relations and joint cooperation between the two friendly countries.