Qatar and Ukraine have enjoyed almost 30 years of diplomatic relations. As the President of Ukraine H E Volodymyr Zelenskiy, visits Doha, it further highlights the deep and cordial diplomatic, economic, and trade relations between the two countries.
In March this year, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister and Chief Digital Transformation Officer H E Dmytro Senik visited Doha and held a series of discussions with Qatari authorities led by the Secretary-General the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi.
The meeting discussed the importance of holding in 2021 the Second Session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Commercial, and Technical Cooperation, practical steps for further developing the Ukrainian-Qatari cooperation in trade and investment, cultural and humanitarian spheres. Meanwhile, President Zelenskiy, while speaking to Qatar News Agency, hailed the partnership between Qatar and Ukraine as the trade volume has increased significantly, rising to almost $150m despite the pandemic. Ukraine’s major exports to Qatar include ferrous metals, cereals, fats and oils, and food industries’ residues.
On the other hand, it mostly imports plastics, polymeric materials, and inorganic chemistry products, organic chemical compounds and textile materials from Qatar. According to the President, Qatar is interested in projects for modernisation and development of Ukrainian ports, investments in the hotel business, infrastructure projects, the banking sector, etc. He also praised Qatar’s mediation efforts in resolving international conflicts, particularly in promoting peace in Afghanistan. In a meeting with Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations.
A luncheon was held in honour of President Zelenskiy and the accompanying delegation. Several documents, including commercial agreements and interstate documents, were signed. Qatari port operator QTerminals has already entered the Ukrainian ports.
Later this year, a team of specialists from Qatar is scheduled to visit Ukraine to acquaint themselves with Ukrainian aircraft and explore opportunities in passenger and cargo transport.
During the World Cup in Qatar at the end of 2022, Ukrainian police officers will help ensure security on the streets of the cities that will host the competition.
The visit comes one week after the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi’s visit to Qatar and the President of the Republic of Maldives, H E Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s, in March. These visits are symbolic as Qatar’s diplomatic policies continue to stimulate positive relations with countries respecting sovereignty, dignity, respect for human rights, and fairness.
