Qatar, Korea open new horizons for relations

Qatar's ambassador to Korea Khalid bin Ebrahim al-Hamar underlined that Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to Doha reflects the depth of the relations between the two countries, and opens new horizons for consultation and convergence of views on regional and international issues.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ambassador said that holding periodic summits and meetings between officials of the two countries at various levels certainly contributes to developing and strengthening bilateral relations, noting that the discussions between His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and President Yoon Suk Yeol will cover ways to enhance bilateral relations in various fields, and views on some regional and international issues of common concern.
He added that the two countries will sign during the visit several memorandums of understanding in various fields, including education, customs, clean energy, culture and sports, in addition to opening new horizons for co-operation in areas such as technology, smart farms, ports, maritime transport, renewable energy, social care and others.
The ambassador described the Qatari-Korean relations — the two countries will mark the 50th anniversary of establishment next year — as strong, solid, and based on mutual respect and co-operation for the benefit of the two friendly peoples.
He pointed to the mutual visits between the two countries at the highest levels, most importantly the visit of the Amir to Korea in 2019, during which a number of agreements and MoUs were signed in the fields of renewable energy, smart grids, smart farms and fisheries.
The ambassador added that the Korean president's visit to Doha comes within the framework of the keenness to strengthen co-operation and promote relations to better levels.
He pointed out that Qatar is the main LNG supplier for Korea. In the meantime, Korean construction companies have contributed to the implementation of infrastructure projects in Qatar in recent years.
Meanwhile, Korean ambassador to Qatar Joon-Ho Lee affirmed that President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to Qatar showcases the two countries' robust relationship, and will give considerable impetus to develop bilateral co-operation in various fields.
In a statement to QNA, he said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974, Korea and Qatar have developed a solid collaboration, particularly in the energy and construction sectors, noting that "Qatar is the largest LNG exporter to Korea, significantly contributing to the country's energy security." Korean businesses have taken part in Qatar's LNG shipbuilding project, he said, adding that currently the two countries are accelerating co-operation in solar power and other renewable energy.
He underlined that as the two countries' partnership celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, Korea and Qatar are stepping up collaboration into new areas such as healthcare, smart agriculture and high technology.
"Soon to open in Lusail, the Korean Medical Centre staffed by Korean physicians will demonstrate the two nations' medical co-operation. And leading Korean food companies are collaborating with Qatar on its smart farm projects to support food security of the country," he added.