*Amir decorated with Mariscal Lopez necklace in recognition of the close relations between Qatar and Paraguay
*Paraguay President Benitez accepts Amir's invitation to visit Qatar, which he accepted.
Qatar and Paraguay have initiated strategic steps to further augment bilateral relations in all fields, based on solid ties of friendship and co-operation, following the state visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the Latin American nation on Wednesday.
The Amir and the President of Paraguay Mario Abdo Benitez witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding between their governments at the Presidential Palace in Asuncion.
The agreements are for the abolition of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official and private passports, facilitating and regulating air transport operations between the two countries, and on co-operation in the cultural field.
The memorandums of understanding are for co-operation in the fields of tourism and business activities aimed at exploring aspects of tourism and exchanging experiences; in youth and sports aimed at exchanging experiences and exchanging or establishing sports camps between the two countries, and on judicial co-operation between Qatar’s Supreme Judicial Council and the Supreme Court of Paraguay.
The Amir was decorated with Mariscal Lopez necklace by President Benitez at the Presidential Palace in recognition of the close relations between Qatar and the government and people of Paraguay.
The Amir and his accompanying delegation attended a dinner banquet hosted by President Benitez.
The Amir also met with the President of the Supreme Court of Justice of Paraguay Raul Torres Kirmser, and members of the court, and Minister of the Supreme Court of Justice Luis Benitez Riera, during his visit to the Supreme Court of Justice building in Asuncion on Wednesday.
The Amir’s visit to Paraguay was characterised by a spirit of understanding and a firm desire to develop bilateral relations in all fields, which are based on solid ties of friendship and co-operation.
The two sides encouraged the promotion of transit transport and trade facilitation policies for developing countries that lack coasts within the framework of the United Nations.
Considering the location of Paraguay in the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and the location of Qatar in the Middle East, they expressed the desire to exploit the competitive advantages of the strategic location of both countries to expand and diversify trade and explore the possibilities of investment as a platform for their access to other markets in the region.
The two sides agreed to send a delegation to visit Qatar during the first quarter of 2019 in order to identify specific sectors of mutual interest that can be further developed in the investment field between the two countries. The team will be composed of representatives of the public sector involved in the fields of trade, investment, infrastructure and technology.
They agreed on convening the first meeting of the Qatari-Paraguayan Joint Committee, which is created under an agreement on economic, commercial and technical co-operation, to address main issues on the economic and trade agenda as well as to exchange information in order to benefit from the existing trade opportunities.
They stressed that the signing of agreements to encourage and protect mutual investments, avoid double taxation and prevent financial evasion would facilitate the establishment of productive investments, which would in turn allow greater competitiveness and complementarity between the economies of Qatar and Paraguay.
The Amir expressed his thanks and appreciation for the hospitality and warm welcome accorded to him and his accompanying delegation during his visit to Paraguay.
The Amir also extended an invitation to the President of Paraguay to visit Qatar, which he accepted. A date for the visit will be determined by both governments through official channels.
The Amir later arrived in Buenos Aires for a state visit to Argentina.
Amir arrives in Buenos Aires His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani being welcomed upon arrival at Ministro Pistarini (Ezeiza) International Airport in Buenos Aires by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Argentine Republic Jorge Faure.
