Qatar, Azerbaijan sign pacts to boost bilateral relations

Qatar and Azerbaijan signed a raft of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) following a session of official talks chaired by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Alyiev at the presidential palace here yesterday.
The two sides discussed means of enhancing bilateral relations and advancing areas of co-operation between the two countries in different fields, especially in economy, trade, investment, energy and culture.  
The two sides also exchanged views on a number of issues of mutual concern along with regional and international issues.
Talks also touched on developments in the Middle East, Central Asia and the world.
The session was attended by the members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir and  Azeri ministers.
Following the talks, the Emir and the Azeri president attended the signing of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries.
Qatar and Azerbaijan signed a protocol amending the agreement on mutual exemption of entry visas for holders of diplomatic and special passports, and holders of Azerbaijani service passports, as well as lifting the visa requirement for Qatari citizens entering Azerbaijan.
The two sides also signed an agreement to form a joint economic, trading and technical committee and another agreement in the legal field.  
Further, MoUs in the areas of financial policy and budget, transportation, agriculture, vocational training and development and education, higher education and scientific research were also signed.
At the outset of the meeting, President Aliyev welcomed the Emir and stressed his keenness on promoting economic co-operation to the level of political co-operation between Qatar and Azerbaijan, pointing to the substantial opportunities available in the fields of energy, tourism, agriculture, technology, transport and investment. He praised the creation of the joint committee that will work to enhance co-operation in this regard, especially with Qatar recognised globally for a lively, successful and stable economy.
He called for raising commercial exchange as one of the main objectives of future co-operation between the two countries, noting that the number of Qatari tourists is rapidly growing and that there are direct flights between the two countries, which will stimulate the tourism sector.
Meanwhile, the Emir in his address underlined the strong political ties between Qatar and Azerbaijan and the spirit of understanding and co-operation between the two countries.
The Emir highlighted the significance of promoting bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in the economic and commercial fields in order to achieve more co-operation, especially as the visit will increase the chances of enhancing them on all fronts, particularly in the fields of energy, tourism and culture as well as through the signing of co-operation agreements that will serve the mutual interests of the two fraternal peoples.
Also yesterday, the Emir met at his residence in Baku with Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade.
The meeting reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and means of boosting and developing them in addition to discussing a set of issues of mutual interest.
Later the Emir attended the luncheon banquet hosted by Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in his honour at the presidential palace.  
In the evening, the Emir left Baku concluding an official visit to Azerbaijan.  
The Emir was seen off at Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov, Qatar’s ambassador to Azerbaijan Sayar bin Abdulrahman al-Mauda, and Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Qatar Tofig Abdullayev along with Qatar’s embassy staff.