Qatar Emir terms Gilani visit a 'new chapter in strategic relations'

Tuesday, 07 February 2012 20:28

DOHA: Qatar's Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani on Tuesday said the visit of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani would open a "new chapter of strategic relations" between the two countries and said his country was ready to cooperate with Pakistan in all fields.

The Qatar's ruler expressed these views in a meeting with Prime Minister Gilani at the Amiri Diwan, terming the moment a fresh restart after a period of nine years.

The Emir said Qatar wanted to maintain a strategic relationship with Pakistan regardless of the tactical calculation of profits and losses.

The two sides expressed satisfaction over several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding signed between the two countries yesterday, mainly on import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), security cooperation, customs and hydroelectric power development.

The Qatari Emir expressed willingness to help Pakistan overcome its energy crisis and hoped that the mechanism of early supply of LNG consignment would be done amicably and sooner.

Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan gives great importance to its relations with Qatar and wants to explore new avenues of cooperation.

On Afghanistan issue, the Prime Minister said Pakistan was in favour of a peaceful outcome of the situation and added that any initiative on Afghanistan must not affect Pakistan. He proposed for addressing the issues of unemployment and illiteracy in Afghanistan, which would help control extremism and terrorism in the long run.

He said that the solution to Afghan problem must be left with its people to decide.

He said that Pakistan has paid huge price in the war against terrorism that incurred the losses to both lives and economy.

The Qatari Emir assured Gilani that the interests of Pakistan would never be compromised in any case.

Gilani took up the matter of absorption of Pakistani manpower in various sectors of Qatar. He suggested that the work-force from the seven agencies of Federally Administered Tribal Areas to Qatar would help provide jobs to the locals and restrain their involvement in militant activities.

He said Pakistan on the demand of Qatar would send professionals, trained by the Ministry for Technical Education for the preparatory projects of FIFA 2022 to be held in Doha.

The Prime Minister sought the support of Qatar in the finalization of Free Trade Agreement with the countries of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The Emir assured Gilani of complete facilitation for holding exhibition of its products in Qatar which he said would yield manifold revenue.

The Prime Minister offered the Emir to set up a university in Pakistan in his name which could become a hub of education.

The Emir said he would ask his wife Sheikha Mozah, who is also the chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, to consider the proposal.

Gilani invited the Qatar's Emir to attend the celebrations of Pakistan Day on March 23 as a chief guest.

The Emir said he would like to visit Pakistan at the dates of convenience and added that Gilani's visit had opened a door of affinity, which would never be closed.

The Emir expressed his fondness for Pakistan's Basmati rice and Kinnow, which he said acclaimed a huge admiration for their quality and taste. He said Qatar could consider the option of importing Basmati rice from Pakistan.

The Qatar's ruler inquired Prime Minister Gilani about the health of President Asif Ali Zardari.

Those who attended the meeting included Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain, Minister for Technical Education Riaz Hussain Peerzada, MNA Haji Munir Khan Aurakzai, Ambassador to Qatar Muhammad Sarfraz Khanzada and representative of Pakistan Qatar Business Association Ahmed Khalil.

The meeting scheduled for half an hour, lasted for more than an hour.