Mexico City: Qatar and Mexico held yesterday official talks at the Presidential Palace in the Mexican capital, Mexico City, chaired by Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.
In the beginning of the meeting, the Mexican President welcomed the Emir, and praised the relations between the two
countries.
The Emir voiced confidence that his visit will contribute to strengthening relations between the two countries and further areas of mutual cooperation.
The two sides discussed aspects of boosting bilateral relations and ways of developing them in all fields, particularly in economy and investment.
Discussions also dealt with a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest and the latest developments in the Middle East. Talks were attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir. On the Mexican side, it was attended by a number of ministers and senior officials.
The Emir and the Mexican President witnessed the signing of a number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries including that between Qatar Central Bank (QCB) and the Bank of Mexico, which aims to develop and strengthen bilateral relations in the field of legal competence; a Memorandum of Understanding between Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, investment and technology that aims to work on the development of trade and economic cooperation between the companies; a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of youth between Qatar’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Mexican Youth Institute, which aims to develop bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation in the field of youth by organising joint activities.
The Emir and the Mexican President also witnessed the signing of an air services agreement, which aims to introduce direct flights between the two countries with Third and Fourth Freedoms of the Air, as well as the Convention on Technical Cooperation, which aims at cooperation in economic, trade and technical fields, industry, mining, energy, agriculture, telecommunications, transportation, construction, labour, tourism, culture, education, science and technology, and others.
The Emir and the Mexican President held a meeting ahead of the talks to review bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them. The Emir was accorded an official welcome on his arrival at the Presidential Palace.
The Emir arrived in Mexico from Cuba, where his visit opened a new era in relations between the two countries. The Emir held talks with Cuban President Raul Castro on Monday. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries for investment in Cuba allows Qatar to invest $2bn over five years, in addition to agreement on abolition of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports of both countries, a MoU on air services; and an agreement in the field of sports.
QNA
