
Qatar's ambassador to Greece, Ali Al Mansouri, highlighted the importance of the first official visit to Greece by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) released on Tuesday.
In particular, he stressed it was "of the utmost importance," adding that it will be a channel for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries in various sectors, particularly the financial and investment sectors, with an emphasis on energy, tourism and agriculture.
At the same time, he expressed the "increasing interest" of the State of Qatar for investments in Greece.
Regarding Greek exports, he emphasised that among the most important Greek products for which there is demand in the market of the State of Qatar are: marble, alabaster, cement, cotton seed, medicines, machinery, devices, agricultural crops and olives.
Finally, he referred to the efforts made by Qatar to reach an Agreement for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, an exchange of captives and prisoners and the viable entry of humanitarian aid to all areas of Gaza.
The interview of the ambassador of Qatar Ali Al Mansouri to ANA-MPA follows:
The visit by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar in Greece, is his first official visit. What does it signify?
The visit of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, to the Hellenic Republic is of the utmost importance, as it is the first official visit to Greece and embodies the bonds of friendship, strengthening the cooperation between the two countries.
It will be a channel for strengthening the bilateral relations of the two countries in various fields, mainly in the financial and investment sectors.
What is the current level of bilateral relations between Greece and Qatar and what are their prospects? What is the importance of Greece for Qatar?
Qatar-Greece bilateral relations are experiencing continuous growth, to which the mutual visits by high-level officials and delegations of the two countries throughout the year have contributed.
The State of Qatar is also working to consolidate and strengthen bilateral relations with the Hellenic Republic through mutual diplomatic support in international forums and the signing of a series of agreements. In this context, the flight connections between the two countries were strengthened and important pending agreements were completed that highlight the strengthening of bilateral relations, including the activation of the Visa Waiver Agreement for holders of Diplomatic and Private Passports, which has already been in force.
In terms of flight connections, Qatar Airways added two new destinations, apart from the destinations of Athens and Thessaloniki, namely Mykonos and Santorini.
Several agreements were also signed between the State of Qatar and the Hellenic Republic, the last of which concerns the Justice Sector. It is expected that in the next period Cooperation Agreements will be signed between Doha and Athens in the fields of navigation, education and investments, as well as a number of memorandums of cooperation.
I would also like to point out that there are many areas of cooperation between the two countries, the most important of which are the fields of Energy, Tourism, Agriculture and Investments.
Is there any investment interest from Qatar in Greece? What are the prospects for investments in Greece? What are the areas of interest?
The interest of the State of Qatar in the investment sector is evident both regionally and internationally. Within the framework of bilateral agreements in the investment sector between the State of Qatar and the Hellenic Republic, Qatar is increasingly interested in making investments in Greece.
We point out that what we observed during our meetings with the Greek ministers and officials of the present Greek government is the sincere interest in expanding and consolidating ways of cooperation and friendship in all sectors, especially in the investment sector.
What are the opportunities for Greek products in the Qatari market?
Among the most important Greek products for which there is demand in the market of the State of Qatar are: marble, alabaster, cement, cotton seed, medicines, machinery, devices, agricultural crops and olives.
The State of Qatar is participating in the negotiations aimed at concluding a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and the release of the hostages. How likely is this? Are we close to reaching a truce?
The State of Qatar, through joint mediation, is making tremendous efforts to reach an Agreement for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, an exchange of captives and prisoners, and the viable entry of humanitarian aid into all areas of Gaza.
Are you worried that the current situation in the Middle East could lead to a spillover of the crisis in the wider region? How do you see the following day in the Middle East?
Ending this war is no longer a demand of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip alone, but has now become a regional and international demand.
Our region cannot live with a further escalation of the crisis, so we should focus on the main issue, as the restoration of calm in the Gaza Strip is essential for defusing any further escalation in the region.