Ukrainian president meets with Emir of Qatar

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as part of his official visit to the State of Qatar, the presidential press service has reported.

During the conversation, the parties discussed key issues of the bilateral agenda, cooperation within international organizations and current international and regional issues, the report said.

The interlocutors emphasized the importance of maintaining high dynamics of political dialogue, the need to increase bilateral trade and further intensify investment cooperation. The parties paid special attention to the prospects for cooperation in the fields of energy, food security, infrastructure and military-technical cooperation and focused on specific joint projects that are already underway.

Zelensky noted that Ukraine will continue to export agricultural products to Qatar.

"Ukraine considers the State of Qatar as one of its key partners in the Gulf region and has every opportunity to fully ensure Qatar's food security," he said.

The meeting focused on attracting investment from Qatar in the development of infrastructure facilities in Ukraine, including the construction of roads and bridges. The president of Ukraine informed the Emir of the State of Qatar about the implementation of the Large Construction project.

"I hope that Qatari companies will join the Large Construction project this year," Zelensky said.

The importance of expanding concession projects in Ukrainian ports was also emphasized.

In the energy sector, the parties discussed the prospects of building an LNG terminal and diversifying energy sources.

For his part, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani stressed the desire and readiness of the Qatari side to further develop the full range of mutually beneficial cooperation with Ukraine.

In addition, the sides discussed counteracting the spread of coronavirus and minimizing its negative effects. Zelensky thanked the Emir of the State of Qatar for the humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine in 2020 to combat COVID-19. The parties agreed on further cooperation in this area.

Zelensky invited the Emir of Qatar to visit Ukraine at any time convenient for him.

op