Qatar, Spain sign pacts to boost ties

HIS Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Dr Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday held an official talks session at the headquarters of the Government at the Palace of Moncloa.

The Spanish PM welcomed HH the Amir and his accompanying delegation, praising His Highness’ visit to Spain as historic and the significant results it will have at all levels and aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The Spanish PM said the Kingdom of Spain considers HH the Amir a true and important friend, and Qatar a reliable partner, adding that he looks forward to discussing with His Highness the bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation and the ways to enhance them.

For his part, HH the Amir highlighted the historic and strong ties between Qatar and Spain, praising the progress the two countries are making in all fields of bilateral cooperation.

My meeting with HM King Felipe VI of Spain, and HE Prime Minister Dr Pedro Sanchez was cordial and fruitful. The relations of cooperation and historical friendship are well-established between our countries and peoples, and there is no doubt that our comprehensive discussions are the best evidence of our common desire to strengthen the bilateral partnership and expand it to broader horizons of cooperation and integration.

HH the Amir also expressed his deep appreciation for the Spanish PM for the good reception HH the Amir and the accompanying delegation were accorded at the headquarters of the government, adding that the talks session will contribute to increase bilateral cooperation to match the two countries’ ambitions.

The session dealt with bilateral cooperation and prospects for enhancing them in various fields, especially in the fields of politics, energy, economy, investment, trade, commerce and culture, in addition to the most prominent regional and international developments of joint interest.

Later, HH the Amir and the Spanish PM witnessed the signing of an agreement and a number of memoranda of understanding (MoU) between the governments of the two countries.

HH the Amir and Spanish PM witnessed the signing of an agreement for cooperation in the education field, and MoUs for cooperation in the legal field between the Qatari and Spanish ministries of justice and in the fields of health and medical sciences, and a declaration of intent to enhance the development of cooperation in the economy and finance fields between the Ministry of Finance in Qatar and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation in Spain.

HH the Amir and the Spanish PM also witnessed the signing of an MoU on military cooperation between the two countries defence ministries, an MoU for cooperation in the field of science and innovation between the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and an MoU between the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council and the Spanish Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology. They also witnessed the signing of an MoU between the Qatar Investment Authority and the Spanish Investment Fund, and an MoU for cooperation between Qatar University and four Spanish universities (La Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, Carlos III University, and Pompeu de Fabra Madrid University).

The talks session was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Chief of the Amiri Diwan HE Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Minister of Finance HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Minister of State for Energy Affairs HE Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani.

On the Spanish side, it was attended by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Digitalization Nadia Calvino, HE Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge of Spain Teresa Ribera, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, HE Minister of Industry, Trade, and Tourism Reyes Maroto, and a number of senior officials.