Qatar's Emir visits Nepal
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani concluded his two-day visit to Nepal on Wednesday.
He arrived in Nepal on a two-day visit on Tuesday at the invitation of President Ramachandra Paudel.
Although the Nepali leaders who abolished monarchy from Nepal, left no stone unturned to show respect to the Qatari Emir who visited Nepal for the first time in history.
President Paudel himself reached the VVIP bay of the Tribhuvan International Airport to receive the Emir. VicePresident Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire, Chairperson of the National Assembly Narayan Prasad Dahal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and other highranking government officials were present at VVIP bay to receive the Emir of the State of Qatar. Also, a unit of the Nepali Army bestowed a 21-gun salute, symbolising the respect and reverence accorded to the distinguished guest. Later in the afternoon,
President Ramchandra Paudel and His Highness Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani held a meeting at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, various matters of Nepal-Qatar bilateral relations and cooperation were discussed on the occasion.
Both leaders expressed happiness over the cordial relations subsisting between the two countries and agreed to further enhance bilateral relations and cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries and their peoples.
In the meeting held at Shital Niwas, President Paudel urged the Emir of the State of Qatar to cooperate in protecting the earth, Himalayas and water sources from the impact of climate change. According to President Paudel's press advisor Kiran Pokharel, on the occasion, the President said that he was greatly worried by the tense environment that surfaced in the Middle East. The President also hailed the role played by Qatar in restoring the disturbed peace in the Middle East.
In response, the Emir of the State of Qatar said that the entire world was facing problems due to the impact of climate change, and said that satisfying results would be possible only if all nations abided by the agreements signed to reduce its impacts. In the evening, President Paudel hosted a State Banquet in honour of His Highness the Emir.
The Emir of the State of Qatar held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Wednesday and graced the signing of several agreements and understandings between the two countries.
This visit of the Emir of the State of Qatar marks a significant milestone as it signifies the firstever visit by the Emir of Qatar to Nepal since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations in 1977.
It is noteworthy to mention here that Nepal established its embassy in Doha in 2000, and Qatar reciprocated it by establishing its embassy in Kathmandu in 2011, further bolstering the bilateral ties.
The government gave a public holiday on the arrival of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on Tuesday.
A meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Monday decided to give the public holiday.