*Amir and Moon hold official talks, agree to enhance co-operation in various fields
*President expresses Korea's willingness to help in organising 2022 FIFA World Cup

Qatar and South Korea on Monday signed a number of memorandums of understanding across multiple sectors of strategic importance taking the strong and historical bilateral ties to greater heights.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, who was on his fourth official visit to South Korea, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in witnessed the signing ceremony at the Blue House, the Presidential Palace in Seoul, Qatar News Agency reported.

One of the MoUs was for co-operation in the smart agriculture field. It was signed between Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality and Environment and South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The aim is to develop the smart agriculture industry, co-operate in the field of agricultural research, transfer technology, and develop eco-friendly farming technology.

A second MoU for co-operation in the land transport sector was signed between Qatar’s Ministry of Transport and Communications and South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea.

A third MoU on fisheries and aquaculture co-operation was signed between Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality and Environment and South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to enhance the scientific and industrial co-operation in fisheries and aquaculture field.

Sheikh Tamim and President Moon also witnessed the signing of an MoU between Qatar’s Ministry of Transport and Communications and South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on recognition of Certificates under Regulation 1/10 of International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention).

There was also an MoU on co-operation in the field of vocational retraining and development of vocational skills which was signed between Qatar’s General Authority of Customs and South Korea’s Customs Border Control Training Institute.

Another MoU for co-operation in the field of smart networks, methods and techniques used was signed between Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco). This included co-operation and exchange of expertise in smart city technologies, infrastructure of developed calibration and information technology.

Mwani Qatar and Busan Port Authority also signed an MoU.

The signing ceremony was attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the Amir and a number of South Korean ministers and senior officials.

Earlier in the day, Sheikh Tamim and President Moon held official talks. At the beginning of the meeting, Moon welcomed the Amir and said he looked forward to the positive results of the visit, especially as it coincides with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the two countries. He also expressed the hope to develop and promote these relations at the international level.

In his statements at the beginning of the talks, the South Korean President extended his congratulations to the Amir on the victory of the Qatar national football team over South Korean in the Asian Cup, and wished the Qatari team success at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In this regard, President Moon noted his country's experience in the organisation of international sports events, referring to its success in hosting the 2002 World Cup and the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

He expressed Korea's willingness to provide help and share its experience with Qatar in organising the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The South Korean President hailed the development of friendly relations and co-operation in various fields, pointing out that Qatar's friendship is important to his country and that there is a comprehensive partnership between the two countries. He referred to the Korean-Qatari partnership in the field of energy and economy and added he looked forward to developing it to wider horizons, especially with the promising potential of the two countries in all fields.

The Amir thanked the President for the warm welcome and hospitality and recalled it was his fourth official visit to Korea. He affirmed what President Moon said, highlighting that the relations between the two countries are strong and historical and expressed the hope to develop them, especially with the growing favourable opportunities between the two countries.

Sheikh Tamim said Qatar was proud to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup as it is the first Arab nation to organise this great event. He acknowledged South Korea's experience in organising major sports events such as Seoul Olympic Games, 2002 Busan Asian Games, 2002 World Cup and the Olympic Winter Games last year.

The Amir also hoped to benefit from South Korea's experiences in preparing for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, especially as Qatar and South Korea have already co-organised the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar.

He said Qatar's preparations for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the infrastructure projects are proceeding well and expressed his full satisfaction with the progress made in this regard.

Sheikh Tamim hailed the promising Qatari national football team, which is preparing for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has achieved excellent result in the current Asian Cup. He wished the team success in the semi-final match.

During the meeting, Sheikh Tamim and President Moon discussed means to enhance co-operation and relations in various fields, especially in energy, economy, investment, health, agriculture, education and technology, as well as co-operation in the military field. The talks also dealt with the regional and international issues.

In this context, President Moon thanked the Amir for Qatar's support of the inter-Korean peace process and for its stance in resolving the Gulf dispute through dialogue. Sheikh Tamim noted that direct dialogue, especially between the two Koreas, is the best way to resolve all disputes.

The Amir and his accompanying delegation later attended a luncheon banquet hosted by the South Korean President.

Later in the day, Sheikh Tamim left Seoul for Japan, ending the two-day official visit to South Korea. South Korean Minister of Ocean and Fisheries Kim Young-choon, Qatar’s ambassador to South Korea Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Dehaimi, South Korea’s ambassador to Qatar Kim Chang-mo, and members of the Qatari embassy in Seoul saw off the Amir and his accompanying delegation.

The Amir sent a cable to the South Korean President, expressing his thanks and appreciation for his hospitality and exchange of views on issues of common concern, as well as means to strengthen friendly relations and close co-operation between the two countries. He also noted the keenness of the two countries to strengthen and develop relations in various fields in the interest of the two friendly peoples, QNA added.

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