DOHA // The UAE and Qatar can look forward to “new horizons” of cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said yesterday.
He and the Qatari foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, led a joint higher ministerial committee meeting to review relations between the countries and remove obstacles to economic and trade cooperation.
Sheikh Abdullah also met the Qatari emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
“This meeting reflects the aspirations and directives of the leaders of both countries,” Sheikh Abdullah said.
“It is also a good opportunity to deepen understanding and review the achievements in the framework of relations between our countries towards new horizons of joint cooperation.”
He said the UAE was proud to develop relations with Qatar in areas including trade, investment, energy, culture, tourism, construction, security and defence.
Agreements signed included one between the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and the Qatari General Authority for Tourism on cooperation in organising exhibitions.
The two governments signed another deal on education and culture, which runs from this year until 2019.
Another agreement was signed between the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development and the Qatar Development Bank.
In a joint press conference after the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah said the two countries “need to work together to take our bilateral ties into a future that is more solid and deeper”.
Sheikh Abdullah said the that both Doha and Abu Dhabi have affirmed that the situation in Syria “can’t be solved through statements”.
There is “an urgent need for action given the tragic situation that requires serious action on the part of the UN Security Council and the Vienna Group”, he said, adding that challenges facing the region, including terrorism, cannot be addressed without solving political problems in Damascus and Baghdad.
Sheikh Abdullah also addressed the situation in Libya, saying that the UAE and Qatar would continue contacts with all stakeholders across the Libyan political spectrum.
Trade with Qatar was between US$6 billion (Dh22.03bn) and $7bn last year, down from $9.2bn in 2014 because of lower oil prices, Sheikh Abdullah said.
“The figure prompts us to explore more options to upgrade the trade exchange,” he said.
Sheikh Abdullah thanked the heads and members of the preparatory committees for their efforts in ensuring the success of the meeting.
He also thanked the members of the UAE-Qatar Business Forum and expressed the hope that the next session would be held in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohammed thanked Sheikh Abdullah and his delegation.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
