Amir's Slovenia visit opens new horizons of cooperation: Qatari envoy

HE the Ambassador of the State of Qatar (non-resident) to the Republic of Slovenia Sultan bin Salmeen Al Mansouri

HE the Ambassador of the State of Qatar (non-resident) to the Republic of Slovenia Sultan bin Salmeen Al Mansouri affirmed that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's visit to Slovenia is an initiative and an opportunity to open new horizons for cooperation between the two countries. In exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA) from Ljubljana, HE the Ambassador stressed that the visit comes as a continuation of efforts to develop relations between the two countries as a result of the recent visit of Slovenian President Borut Pahor to Doha last March, pointing out that the Slovenian President had positive impressions of the State of Qatar and its political and economic role in the region and the world. HE Sultan bin Salmeen said that aspects of cooperation between the State of Qatar and Slovenia are progressing well, stressing the depth of the close relationship between the two leaderships, which culminated in a number of fruitful meetings. He explained that Slovenia sees Qatar as an important country globally with its international activities and the successes it has achieved during the last period, so it is working to push the relations between the two sides forward towards broader horizons. Regarding the most important areas that can be activated between the two countries, HE Sultan bin Salmeen said that investment will be one of the most important areas of cooperation between the two countries, given that Slovenia has a promising market, revealing that a delegation from the Qatar Investment Authority recently toured Slovenia to know about the investment climate in the country and study the market there. The delegation came out with positive results, he said, indicating that there is a possibility of signing agreements in the field of youth, sports and culture and in visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and special passports. He underlined that the two countries are working to promote trade exchange, which currently amounts to 31 million euros, a figure that is not commensurate with the bilateral relations between the two countries, expressing hope that this trade exchange will double during the coming period, especially in light of the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on global trade exchange during the past two years. He noted that there are talks between the two sides to link the Slovenian port of Koper, which serves not only Slovenia but most of the Balkan countries, with the Doha Port, which will of course lead to a major leap in trade exchange between the two countries, pointing out that there is an intention to make an agreement with the Ministry of Transport to link the two ports during the coming period. As for the air connectivity between Ljubljana and Doha, HE Sultan bin Salmeen said that Qatar Airways is very interested in the European market, but opening a new route requires time to study the market and operate it, and once completed, the air route will be opened. He said Slovenia is a tourist country that relies on this sector as a main resource in the economy and has attractive facilities, adding that the tourism component between the two countries could constitute a leap during the coming period. He pointed out that the Slovenian President presented the tourism file during his recent visit to Doha and found Qatari welcome in this cooperation. About the European Union's intention to open an economic representative office in Doha, HE the Ambassador stressed that the European Union's representative economic office, if it is opened, will be a strong boost and a very positive thing, as the European market is unified and strong, and that the presence of an office in the State of Qatar enhances economic and trade relations between the two sides and facilitates all procedures for receiving goods, as well as many other matters that develop economic cooperation between the two sides.