(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Central American republic of El Salvador, which has its only embassy of the Middle East region in Qatar, is looking forward to more visibility for their country and people among the local residents.
While speaking to Gulf Times yesterday, El Salvador ambassador Alfredo Samayoa Molina said: 'We have enormous respect for Qatar and are also thankful for giving our skilled professionals a number of good opportunities to serve some of the reputable local institutions. Samayoa, who has been in Doha for a little more than a year, said his country is looking forward to a high-level official delegation visit from Qatar either towards the end of this year or at the beginning of 2019. The envoy said El Salvador embassy has been functioning in Qatar for more than 12 years and Qatar has its diplomatic mission in Sal Salvador, the capital of his country since 2008.
'Last year, we signed agreements with Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education and also with the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) to enhance co-operation at different levels, said Samayoa while recalling the strides made in the bilateral relations between the two countries. The ambassador is also officiating for Kuwait, Jordan and Oman.
These days, he said, El Salvadorians residing in Qatar are hoping for more exposure to their activities. 'Tomorrow (Friday) , Tenor Napolean, a well-known musician from El Salvador is performing for the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra at an event being hosted at Katara Cultural Village.
Samayoa also recalled his country's more than 150-year links with the Middle East as a powerful Arab community is in the business sector there. 'Most of them have their forefathers reaching there from Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and also Jordan.
The ambassador said El Salvador has as many as 48 pilots serving in Qatar Airways, besides several other engineers and other professionals. It is understood that approximately 400 Salvadorians are residing in Qatar. He said even some of the independent schools in Qatar are employing teachers from his country.
Answering a query, Samayoa said he is exploring the possibility of bringing some Qatari cultural institution to Sal Salvador so that his compatriots would have better awareness about this country. 'Since Qatar is hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022, the country is being mentioned repeatedly among the people of a soccer loving country like ours, said the ambassador while hoping that El Salvador may qualify to play in Qatar, 40 years after it qualified last for the FIFA Cup in Madrid (1982).
'Whether our team will be here or not, Salvadorians may turn out in large numbers at Qatar stadiums in 2022.
The envoy also hopes that there would be direct connectivity with El Salvador in coming years in view of his country's strategic position in Central America, he said, while recalling a meeting he had with the Qatar Airways authorities.
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