Qatar Working On Enhancing Asian Ties: Ambassador Of Qatar To Kazakhstan

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA

Astana: Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Kazakhstan HE Abdullah bin Hussein Al Jaber emphasized Qatar's commitment to strengthening its relations with Asia, particularly through successful cooperation with influential organizations in Asia, and noted that Qatar was among the first Arab countries to obtain the status of "Dialogue Partner" in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency added that Qatar also enhanced its position in the region through successful cooperation with the conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue. He mentioned that in September 2022, Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding to join the SCO as a Dialogue Partner during the organization's summit in Uzbekistan.

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His Excellency noted that this status is a preliminary step before granting full membership, requiring the respecting of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states and the recognition of the organization's objectives and principles.

HE the Ambassador said that, as a Dialogue Partner, Qatar has the right to attend open meetings of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the SCO member states and meetings of the heads of government of the member states. However, it does not have the right to participate in preparing and signing the organization's approved documents.

HE the Ambassador also said that Qatar was just getting started with the process of gaining full membership in the organization, noting that the latter shares values with Qatar like maintaining peace, stability, and security in the region. His Excellency also said that one of the SCO's main aims is to build mutual trust, friendship, good neighborliness, and multifaceted cooperation to maintain and strengthen regional peace, security, and stability, address emerging challenges and threats collectively, and promote effective cooperation in various fields, in addition to enhancing economic growth as well as social and cultural development.

Responding to a question on the State of Qatar's regional and international role, especially its successful mediation efforts in resolving conflicts worldwide, His Excellency affirmed that the State of Qatar is a key player both regionally and internationally in mediation and goodwill efforts. His Excellency highlighted that the State of Qatar's location in the Middle East, a region marked by tensions and conflicts among influential regional powers, has driven it to adopt dialogue, mediation, and preventive diplomacy as part of its foreign policy.

He added that the country has achieved significant success in finding solutions to ongoing conflicts, extending beyond the Arab region to Africa, Asia, and even Latin America, including mediating a prisoner exchange agreement between the United States and Venezuela. He emphasized that Qatar's unwavering belief in soft power, international law, and neutral policy, without personal interests, has earned it a reputable international standing and credibility.

Discussing Qatar-Kazakhstan relations, HE Ambassador Al Jaber highlighted that official relations began in 1993 with the signing of the diplomatic relations agreement and have since reached a strategic partnership level, reflecting the strong desire of both countries' leaderships to enhance their friendly relations.

His Excellency added that several indicators demonstrate the increased cooperation between Doha and Astana, including numerous agreements covering politics, trade, investments, security, healthcare, energy, and food. There are also numerous joint investment projects, particularly in major economic sectors, and increasing visits by senior officials and business people from both countries, as well as mutual support for initiatives on regional and international stages.

He explained that there are several agreements reached by Qatar and Kazakhstan regarding enhancing cooperation in all trade, economic, investment, health, sports, military, cultural and humanitarian fields, which have risen to the level of strategic partnership thanks to the distinguished efforts made by the leadership of the two countries.

He pointed out the promising prospects for implementing joint investment projects, particularly in the gas sector, with Qatar expected to invest in building a gas processing plant and constructing a gas pipeline in Kazakhstan.

There are also significant opportunities for cooperation in financial and banking services, as well as in the telecommunications market, where Qatar aims to invest in Kazakhstan's communication and internet sectors. Additionally, agriculture offers potential for mutual benefit, with plans for a wheat processing plant in Kazakhstan to enhance food security for both nations.

Regarding trade volume, HE the ambassador highlighted the substantial progress in Qatar-Kazakhstan economic relations over the past five years, marked by increased bilateral trade. According to Qatar's Planning and Statistics Authority, Qatar imported lamb meat and fiber optic cables from Kazakhstan last year. The National Statistics Office of Kazakhstan reported a fivefold increase in trade volume between the two countries from 2019 to 2023.

In conclusion his remarks to QNA, HE the Ambassador confirmed that the level of bilateral relations between the two friendly countries has reached the level of a strategic partnership, expressing his hope to increase trade exchange between the two countries in the near future.

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