Qatari prince to visit S. Korea to discuss closer cooperation

By Tony Chang
SEOUL, May 18 (Yonhap) -- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, crown prince of Qatar,
is scheduled to visit South Korea next week to meet with President Lee Myung-bak
and government officials to discuss boosting diplomatic and economic ties,
Seoul's foreign ministry said.

During his two-day visit, set to begin on May 24, the crown prince will also meet
Prime Minister Han Seung-soo to discuss ways to strengthen ties in various
fields, including politics, business and culture, ministry officials said.
Qatar is the world's largest supplier of liquefied natural gas and the
fifth-largest oil supplier for South Korea. The Middle Eastern country is also
the No. 1 export destination for South Korean-built LNG carriers.
The crown prince, in his first visit to South Korea, is also scheduled to meet
with a group of top business executives to explore potential joint ventures
between the two countries' private sectors.
South Korea forged diplomatic ties with Qatar in 1974. Former President Roh
Moo-hyun made South Korea's first-ever presidential visit to the country in 2007
to form a wide-ranging partnership in various fields, including information
technology, education and health.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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