Qatar, Iran sign pacts to boost ties

QNA Doha His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi held an offici...

QNADohaHis Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi held an official talks session at the Amiri Diwan on Monday.At the beginning of the meeting, HH the Amir welcomed the Iranian president and the accompanying delegation, wishing them a pleasant stay, and the solid relations of the two countries further development and growth in various fields.For his part, the Iranian president expressed his thanks to HH the Amir for the warm reception and hospitality, looking forward to strengthen the Qatari-Iranian relations for the good and the interest of the people of the two countries. He also expressed his keenness to enhance and develop bilateral cooperation and advance it to regional and international levels.HH the Amir and the Iranian president also held a bilateral meeting, during which they discussed the most prominent regional and international developments of common interest, in addition to the current developments in the region. The Iranian President had arrived earlier at the Amiri Diwan, where he was accorded an official reception ceremony. Later, HH the Amir and the Iranian president witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries.They witnessed the signing of an MoU on conducting political consultations on issues of common interest between the foreign ministries of the two countries, an MoU for cooperation in the field of diplomatic training between the Diplomatic Institute and the Institute for Political and International Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the two countries, an agreement on canceling visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and special passports between the two countries governments, and the second executive program for radio and television cooperation between Qatar Media Corporation and the National Iranian Radio and Television.The first executive programme of the cooperation agreement in the field of youth and sports for the years 2022-2023, an MoU between the Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) and the Iran Ports and Maritime Organization, a maritime transport agreement between the governments of the two countries, an MoU for joint bilateral cooperation in the land transport field, and an MoU between the Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and Iran’s Power Generation, Distribution, and Transmission Company (Tavanir) was also signed.HH the Amir and the Iranian president also witnessed the signing of an MoU for cooperation in the field of standardization between the Qatar General Authority for Standardization and Metrology and the Iranian National Standards Organization, an MoU in the field of higher education and scientific research, and the first executive program of the agreement on cultural and technical cooperation between the two countries for the years 2022-2023.Also, they witnessed the signing of an MoU for cooperation in the field of tourism between the governments of the two countries and an MoU for joint cooperation in the field of free zones between the Qatar Free Zones Authority and the Supreme Council of Free Trade-Industrial and Special Economic Zones in the Islamic Republic of Iran.HH the Amir welcomed the Iranian president on his visit to Doha and his participation in the 6th Summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), which will be held on Tuesday.In joint statements following the talk sessions, HH the Amir affirmed that the signing of an agreement and several memoranda of understanding between the two countries is a significant matter, looking forward to following up with them to ensure gaining their maximum benefit. HH the Amir commended the important role of the joint economic committee between the two countries, which held its last meeting in Isfahan in November 2020, looking forward to the committee’s meeting this year in Doha.HH the Amir affirmed that during the talk session, HH and the Iranian president discussed enhancing cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields of economy, investment, energy, tourism and other areas that would develop cooperation in the interest of the two countries and their peoples.HH the Amir added that several regional and international issues of joint interest were discussed, especially regarding the security and stability of the region. In this regard, HH the Amir reiterated that dialogue is the best way to resolve all differences and face the various challenges that the region is going through.HH the Amir explained that he was briefed by the Iranian president on the outcome of the Vienna negotiations regarding the nuclear agreement between Iran and the West, as well as its importance and impact on the security and stability of the region.HH the Amir pointed out that Qatar is attentively following the progress of the negotiations and hopes that a solution and agreement that satisfies all parties, and guarantees the right of countries to peaceful uses of nuclear energy in accordance with international agreements and resolutions, will be reached in the near future. In this area, HH the Amir reiterated Qatar’s preparedness to provide any possible assistance in order to reach an agreement that ends the dispute and ensures the security and stability of the region.HH the Amir noted that his talk session with the Iranian president addressed the Palestinian cause as the central and pivotal issue in the region, as emphasis was placed on the need to stop the Israeli attacks against the Palestinian people and to find a solution to the issue in accordance with international outcomes, highlighting the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to live in freedom, dignity and stability.HH the Amir explained that several issues related to the region were also discussed, including Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan, indicating that the two sides expressed their hope to find a peaceful solution to these issues as soon as possible.On the occasion of Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, HH the Amir expressed his congratulations on the Iranian team’s qualification for the tournament, and extended an invitation to the president to attend the tournament, welcoming all the Iranian fans who will attend to support the Iranian team and enjoy the World Cup championship.For his part, the Iranian president expressed his delight at his talk sessions with HH the Amir, and his presence in Qatar to participate in the 6th Summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.He also expressed his thanks to HH the Amir for the warm reception and hospitality, indicating that the abundant energies and capabilities of the two countries can be used to strengthen relations in various fields, especially in the fields of economy, trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, food security and culture.The Iranian president also expressed his country’s readiness to cooperate with Qatar in all that would ensure hosting the best World Cup tournament.He pointed out the advantages that the two countries share, scientifically, geographically and environmentally, noting the human capacity and the possibility of cooperation in the field of economic relations.In this context, the Iranian president affirmed that his country is looking forward for qualitative development and opening new horizons with Qatar in particular, and with the neighbouring countries in the Gulf and the region in general, aspiring further cooperation between the countries of the region.