*Amir visits Senate of Spain in Madrid
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani visited Tuesday the Senate of Spain in the capital, Madrid.
His Highness the Amir was received by Senate President Ander Gil, President of the Spanish Congress of Deputies Meritxell Batet, and a number of members of the Senate and the Congress.
During the visit, the Amir spoke on relations of co-operation between the two countries and ways to enhance them, especially in exchanging experiences in parliamentary and legislative work. The two sides also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Later, His Highness the Amir received the medals from the Senate and the Congress of Deputies, as an expression of the ties of friendship and partnership between the two countries.
The Amir delivered a speech at the Senate, in which he extended his thanks to the President of the Senate and the President of the Congress of Deputies for granting him the two medals, expressing his gratitude for this honour.
The Amir pointed out the strong historical relations between Qatar and Spain, which are characterised by continuous development and increased co-operation, noting that the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary since the establishment of their diplomatic relations.
His Highness the Amir explained that his visit to Madrid emphasises his keenness to strengthen Qatari-Spanish relations at the governmental, parliamentary and peoples' level, based on the two countries' belief in mutual values, principles and constants.
He concluded his speech by extending his thanks to the Senate and the Congress of Deputies for their hospitality, expressing his aspiration to enhance co-operation between the Qatari Shura Council and the Spanish Senate and the Congress of Deputies.
For his part, Senate President Ander Gil welcomed the Amir on behalf of the members of both the Senate and the Congress of Deputies, wishing him a pleasant stay.
He also commended the relations characterised by harmony and trust between the two friendly countries, while expressing his aspiration to enhance them at all levels, especially the cultural, education, commercial and economic levels.
The Amir also visited the Library of the Senate of Spain, where he was briefed on the library's contents and a number of historical books on Arab history in Spain, as well as the historical cultural relations between Arabs and Spain.
The Amir was accompanied by members of the official accompanying delegation.
