DOHA/BAKU: Qatar and Azerbaijan yesterday signed several agreements during the visit of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to that country. They included an agreement on lifting visa requirement for Qatari citizens entering Azerbaijan.
The Emir and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the signing of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries at the Presidential Palace in Baku yesterday.
The two sides inked a protocol amending the agreement on mutual exemption of entry visas for holders of diplomatic and special passports, and holders of Azerbaijani service passports, as well as lifting the visa requirement for Qatari citizens entering the Republic of Azerbaijan. The two sides also signed an agreement to form a joint economic, trading and technical committee and another agreement in the field of Justice.
The Emir and Azeri President also attended the signing of MoU in the area of financial policy and budget, MoUs in the field of transportation, agriculture, vocational training and development and education, higher Education and scientific research.
The Emir earlier held a round of official talks with President Aliyev. Azeri President welcomed the Emir and the accompanying delegation and expressed his pleasure over the visit, saying it will enhance ties between the two countries.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev highlighted the political relations and the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in international institutions, particularly the UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, expressing his gratitude to the Emir and Qatar for backing Azerbaijan’s initiatives in international forums.
The president stressed his keenness on promoting economic cooperation to the level of political cooperation between the two sides, pointing to the substantial opportunities available in the fields of energy, tourism, agriculture, technology, transport and investment.
He lauded the creation of the joint committee that will work to enhance cooperation in this regard, especially with Qatar recognized globally for a lively, successful and stable economy.
He noted that the number of Qatari tourists is rapidly growing and that there are direct flights between the two countries, which will stimulate the tourism sector and strengthen ties between the two peoples.
The Emir also highlighted the significance of promoting bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in the fields of energy, tourism and culture as well as through the signing of cooperation agreements.
Talks also touched on developments in the Middle East, Central Asia and the world as they exchanged views and stances towards them.
The Emir attended a luncheon banquet hosted by Azeri President in honour of the Emir and accompanying delegation at the presidential palace in Baku. The Emir left Baku yesterday evening.
The Emir was seen off at Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov, and other officials.
The Peninsula
