Qatar's Ambassador to the Republic of Korea to QNA: Visit of President Yoon Suk Yeol to Doha Opens New Horizons for Cooperation

 

 

Doha, October 24 (QNA) - HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Korea Khalid bin Ebrahim Al Hamar underlined that the visit of HE President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol to Doha reflects the depth of the relations between the two countries, and opens new horizons for consultation and convergence of views on regional and international issues.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE the Ambassador said that holding periodic summits and meetings between officials in the Republic of Korea and the State of Qatar at various levels certainly contributes to developing and strengthening the relations between the two countries; noting that the discussions between HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and HE President Yoon Suk Yeol will cover ways to enhance the bilateral relations in various fields, and views on some regional and international issues of common concern.

His Excellency added that the two countries will sign during the visit several memoranda of understanding in various fields, including education, customs, clean energy, culture and sports, in addition to opening new horizons for cooperation in areas such as technology, smart farms, ports, maritime transport, renewable energy, social care and others.

HE the Qatari Ambassador described the Qatari-Korean relations - which the two countries will mark the 50th anniversary of establishment next year - as strong, solid, and based on mutual respect and cooperation for the benefit of the two friendly peoples. He pointed to the mutual visits between the two countries at the highest levels, most importantly the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the Republic of Korea in 2019, during which a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed in the fields of renewable energy, smart grids, smart farms and fisheries.

His Excellency added that the visit of HE the President of the Republic of Korea to Doha comes within the framework of the keenness to strengthen cooperation and promote relations to better levels.

HE the Ambassador pointed out that the State of Qatar is the main LNG supplier for the Republic of Korea. In the meantime, Korean construction companies have contributed to the implementation of infrastructure projects in the State of Qatar in recent years.

In terms of exports, according to the main destination countries, HE the Ambassador explained that the Republic of Korea ranks second of the total value of exports at 11.9%, and that the Republic of Korea imports about 30% of its LNG needs from the State of Qatar.

The two countries signed a set of long-term agreements, in addition to nearly $19 billion agreement to supply LNG tankers to the State of Qatar, as part of the North Field Expansion Projects and the plans to raise Qatar's LNG production capacity, His Excellency added.

HE the Qatari Ambassador noted that development projects in the State of Qatar constitute a great opportunity for Korean companies to invest in infrastructure and construction, health and social care, education, training, research, smart agriculture, fisheries, renewable energy, and in small and medium enterprises, especially since Korea is considered a pioneer in these fields.

Regarding the extent to which Qatari gas contributes to meeting the Republic of Korea's energy needs and its development plans, His Excellency said that Qatari energy supplies have contributed to meeting the growing needs of the Republic of Korea over the past decades, due to the fact that the State of Qatar is a reliable partner that constantly maintains the flow of energy supplies. Meanwhile, the Republic of Korea has been an important trading partner of the State of Qatar in the field of infrastructure. The partnership between the two countries has recently expanded to include health care, smart grids, agriculture, training and capacity building.

On the outcomes of the meetings of the Qatar-Korea joint strategic committee, HE the Ambassador explained that the strategic committee carries out a major role in strengthening the bilateral relations. In its sixth session, which was hosted in Seoul in June 2023, the two sides discussed aspects of cooperation in various priority sectors, and the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the Joint Technical Working Committee, in addition to ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment, construction, infrastructure, agriculture, maritime transport, civil aviation, health, education and information technology.

Concerning the position of the two countries on international and regional crises and hotbeds of tension, His Excellency stated that there is a convergence of visions between the two countries on many issues, based on their belief that the solution to global and regional crises must be through dialogue and diplomacy. There is also complete coordination between the two countries in international organizations regarding some of these issues.

Regarding the cooperation in the field of environment and climate change and the solidarity of both countries with the international community in this field, HE the Ambassador said that the Constitution of the State of Qatar stipulates that the State preserves the environment and its natural balance in order to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development for all generations. Qatar National Vision 2030 also calls for supporting international efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and have a proactive regional role in mitigating its negative effects. In this regard, the State of Qatar and the Republic of Korea are donor countries and founding members of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), which contributes to helping developing countries to pursue development strategies based on sustainability.

HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Korea Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Hamar underlined that reducing dependence on hydrocarbon resources is one of the Qatari priorities and directions to diversify energy sources, especially in the field of electricity generation; noting that Qatar and the Republic of Korea signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of green hydrogen production and expanding the use of clean energy. (QNA)