HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will start Thursday an official visit to the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, during which HH will meet President Ebrahim Raisi and a number of senior Iranian officials.
HH the Amir's talks in Tehran are expected to focus on the bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to support and develop them, especially in the economic, trade, and investment sectors, as well as other sectors that could develop bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the two countries and peoples. The talks will also focus on maintaining the regions security and stability, in addition to the most prominent regional and international developments.
Qatar and Iran have distinguished historic relations that developed and grew stronger and more firmly over the years, in an indication of the keenness of the two leaderships and their peoples to advance these relations and always push them towards broader horizons that serve the common interests, goals and aspirations of both sides.
Iran was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of the State of Qatar. A month after independence, the declaration to recognize the State of Qatar and the establishment of relations between the two countries was published. The first Iranian Ambassador presented his credentials in 1972 to HH the Amir of the State of Qatar, while the first Qatar Ambassador arrived in Iran in 1973.
The bilateral relations between Qatar and Iran are based on friendship, good neighborliness, mutual respect and common interests. The leaderships of the two countries are keen to maintain continuous dialogue and consultation between Doha and Tehran at the highest levels and through high-level visits, with the aim of coordinating and exchanging opinions for the interests of the two countries, their peoples, and the region as a whole, in addition to serving the issues of security, peace and international stability.
HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's visit to Tehran in January 2020 came in this context. During that visit, HH the Amir held an official talks session with HE President of the Islamic Republic of Iran at that time Dr. Hassan Rouhani at the republican palace in Tehran. HH the Amir also met with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ali Khamenei.
Discussions during the two meetings focused on bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to enhance and develop them. They also dealt with a number of regional and international issues, especially the latest developments in the region, and ways to pacify and avoid further escalation and resolve contentious issues by peaceful means, which contributes to achieving security, peace and stability in the region and the world.
HE President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi visited Doha last February, where he participated in the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, which was held in Doha at that time.
HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and HE President Raisi held an official talks session at the Amiri Diwan. HH the Amir and HE President of Iran also held a bilateral meeting, during which they discussed the most prominent developments of common interest at the regional and international levels, in addition to the current developments in the region.
During the visit, a number of agreements and MoU were signed between the two governments, covering many political and diplomatic fields, and cooperation in radio and television, youth and sports, marine navigation, ports, maritime and land transport, free zones, electricity, water, higher education and scientific research, in addition to cultural, technical and tourism cooperation.
In a joint statement with HE the President of Iran, HH the Amir stressed that the two countries signing of an agreement and number of MoU is an important matter, adding that he is looking forward to following them up to ensure maximum benefits from them. HH the Amir noted the important role of the Joint Economic Committee between the two countries, which held its last meeting in Isfahan in November 2020, expressing his keenness for its meeting this year in Doha.
HH the Amir affirmed that he discussed with HE the Iranian President during the talks the strengthening of areas of bilateral cooperation, especially in the economic and investment fields, and in the fields of energy, tourism and other sectors that could develop cooperation for the benefit of the two countries and peoples, adding that several regional and international issues of relevance were discussed, especially the security and stability of the region. HH the Amir reiterated in this regard that dialogue is the best way to resolve all differences and face the various challenges that the region is going through.
HH the Amir was briefed by the Iranian President on the progress made during the Vienna negotiations regarding the nuclear agreement between Iran and the West and their importance and impact on the security and stability of the region. HH the Amir noted that the State of Qatar is following with interest the progress of the negotiations and hopes that a solution and an agreement that satisfies all parties and guarantees the right of states to peacefully utilize nuclear energy in accordance with international agreements and resolution will be reached in the near future. In this regard, HH the Amir reiterated the readiness of the State of Qatar to provide any possible assistance in order to reach an agreement that ends the dispute and guarantees the security and stability of the region.
On the occasion of Qatar hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, HH the Amir expressed his congratulations on the Iranian team's qualification for the tournament. HH the Amir also invited President Raisi to attend the tournament and welcomed Iranian fans who will come to support the Iranian team.
The Qatari Businessmen Association met with the Iranian President on the sidelines of his visit to Doha. The dialogue between the two sides touched on the need to increase the trade exchange between the two countries to $1 billion. The talk also dealt with the challenges that stand in the way of developing cooperation and investment, increasing trade exchange between the two countries, the great opportunities and potentials in the Qatari and Iranian markets, as well as activating the Iranian Commercial House in Qatar to introduce the investment opportunities that exist in Iran and to overcome obstacles for businessmen.
The volume of trade exchange between the two countries, according to the Planning and Statistics Authority reached about QR 780 million during 2021.
Last April, HE Minister of Transport Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti met with HE Iran's Minister of Road and Urban Development Rostam Qassemi in the Iranian Kish Island. The two sides reviewed aspects of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of transport and communications, marine navigation, commercial ports, air transport and civil aviation. The meeting also reviewed opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the port of Kish Island.
In the context of the good relations between Doha and Tehran, especially in the health field, the State of Qatar, under the directives of HH the Amir, sent five shipments of urgent medical aid to Iran during the past two years, with the support of the Qatar Fund for Development and in coordination with Qatar Airways, within the framework of Qatari efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, based on the common international responsibility. This assistance also confirms the position of the State of Qatar in support of brotherly and friendly countries, and the assistance it provides to overcome this crisis.
