President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in the State of Qatar on official visit, had today a private meeting with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al Thani. Before that, the official ceremony of welcoming the President of Armenia took place at the Emiri Divan. At the meeting, the President thanked the Emir for the invitation to visit the friendly Qatar and the warm welcome extended to his delegation.
Noting that Middle East is holding an important role on the foreign agenda of the Republic of Armenia and that Armenia has special relations with the Arab states, which are based on the centuries-long friendship, Serzh Sargsyan noted that our country is interested in the invigoration of the high-level political dialogue with the State of Qatar and deepening of cooperation in all areas.
The parties expressed hope that the results of President Sargsyan’s first visit to Qatar will bring their input to the development of the Armenian-Qatari relations. They viewed as symbolic the fact that the visit is taking place in the year which marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Qatar which, accordion to the parties, presents a good opportunity to re-evaluate the Armenian-Qatari relations and give them a new impetus.
In the context of developing the bilateral cooperation, the parties stressed the importance of political contacts, particularly with regard to the consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs of the two counties which will allow to exchange views on the development of bilateral relations, situation in the region, issues, which are sensitive to the parties, and positions.
Noting with satisfaction that the number of visitors from the countries of the Persian Gulf, including Qatar, to Armenia increases by year, which is promoted greatly by the flights operated by the Qatari airlines, the interlocutors discussed the opportunity of the liberalization of the visa regime between the two countries and prospects of deepening the interaction with the Qatari airlines, aimed at the enhancement of the mutually beneficial cooperation.
From the viewpoint of boosting the mutually beneficial trade and economic relations, the President of Armenia and Emir of Qatar stressed the importance of expanding the legal field of the two countries as well as holding session of the intergovernmental commission.
The Armenian side proposed for consideration a number of investment projects in different areas, among them the use of Armenia’s transit opportunities, especially access via Armenia to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union.
At the proposal of the President of Armenia, the Emir of Qatar instructed the Minister of Economy of Qatar, who is also is the Vice President of Qatar’s investment organization, to have a separate meeting with the RA Minister of Economy, who is part of the Presidential delegation, and to discuss in detail the prospects and potential of the development of the bilateral economic ties. The representatives of the aviation agencies of the two countries were instructed by the President of Armenia and the Emir of Qatar to hold similar meetings in the framework of the visit.
Along with the bilateral relations, the parties discussed also possibilities of cooperation in a multilateral format. President Serzh Sargsyan and Emir Tamim Bin Hamad al Thani spoke also about the NK peace process. In this context, the Emir stressed the importance of establishing peace and stability in the region and underscored that there is no alternative to a peaceful resolution of the NK conflict and a dialogue.
After the meeting, Emir Tamim Bin Hamad al Thani hosted an official reception in the honor of the President of Armenia.