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Qatar ambassador to Azerbaijan: â€œQatar supports Azerbaijan in Nagorno Karabakh conflictâ€ â€“ INTERVIEW

Qatar ambassador to Azerbaijan: â€œQatar supports Azerbaijan in Nagorno Karabakh conflictâ€ â€“ <font color=red>INTERVIEW </font>

27 February 2010 08:20 (UTC +04:00)

- How do you value political relations between our countries?

- Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and his brother, H.E. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev established strong-based and good political, economic, social and cultural relations between the countries. Mutual visits strengthened basis of these relations. 12 documents were signed in various fields during these visits. Both countries opened their embassies, which are promoting the development of relations.

- Is it possible to cease visa regime for ordinary citizens between Azerbaijan and Qatar?

- During the official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov to Qatar in January, 2010, the two countries signed an agreement to cease visa regime for diplomatic and official travels.

- Are you expected to launch direct flights between Baku and Doha?

- Qatar and Azerbaijan have an air transport agreement. It was signed during the official visit of Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa to Azerbaijan in 2007. The two countries reached an agreement about the direct flights during the Mammadyarovâ€™s visit to Qatar.

- What is volume of trade turnover between the two countries?

- It is difficult to speak about the trade turnover between the countries. We are looking forward for further development of commercial relations. Both countries have rich oil and gas resources, but some projects were canceled due to global financial crisis. We are able to develop relationship in the field of investments. Our countries have an agreement on economic, commercial and technical cooperation. To revive the agreement on protection and securing of investments, we proposed to organize mutual visits of Azerbaijani and Qatari business people that they can exchange of views, discuss investment requirements and learn the opportunities.

- What about the humanitarian cooperation?

- Qatar Charity Societyâ€™s branch office was operating in Baku. It has provided orphans and poor families with humanitarian assistance and sponsored construction of mosques, Islamic centers, schools and clinics in Azerbaijan. But the office was closed because of outside forcesâ€™ critiques. This notwithstanding there is good cooperation between Qatari and Azerbaijani Red Crescent Societies.

- How do you see prospects of tourism between the two countries?

- Tourism is a prospective sphere and bilateral cooperation is open for this sphere. Tourism can be commercially useful for both sides. People can learn cultures, histories, ancient monuments and civilizations of each other. Azerbaijan is a country with rich ancient monuments and colorful climate.

- How Azerbaijan and Qatar are working within the international organizations?

- The relations between the two countries exceeded the regional level and entered the international arena. Qatar supports Azerbaijan in both regional and international arenas. Qatar supports Azerbaijan particularly during the discussions over Nagorno Karabakh conflict at the international organizations, including OIC conferences.

- Days of Azerbaijani Culture will be organized in Qatar in May.

- Qatar and Azerbaijani cultures are close Days of Qatari Culture were held in Azerbaijan last summer. A large delegation of artists and cultural figures headed by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, Art and Heritage of Qatar visited Azerbaijan within these days. Days of Azerbaijani Culture are expected in Doha in May. Azerbaijani delegation headed by the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism visited Qatar this month. They reached an agreement to organize the Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Qatar. Such events and festivals contribute to the strengthening of friendly relations between the countries.

- Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov made official visit to Qatar in January. Do you expect other mutual visits this year?

- Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar is expected to visit Azerbaijan in April. Minister of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan Ramil Usubov is also expected to visit Qatar this year.