عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Emir of Qatar Holds Talks in Slovenia, Visits Spain Tuesday

A photo published by the Emiri Diwan of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad during his meeting with Janez Jansa, Prime Minister of Slovenia, at the Presidential Palace in the capital, Ljubljana, yesterday afternoon.
A photo published by the Emiri Diwan of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad during his meeting with Janez Jansa, Prime Minister of Slovenia, at the Presidential Palace in the capital, Ljubljana, yesterday afternoon.
    Doha – Asharq Al-Awsat
TT
20
TT

Emir of Qatar Holds Talks in Slovenia, Visits Spain Tuesday

A photo published by the Emiri Diwan of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad during his meeting with Janez Jansa, Prime Minister of Slovenia, at the Presidential Palace in the capital, Ljubljana, yesterday afternoon.
A photo published by the Emiri Diwan of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad during his meeting with Janez Jansa, Prime Minister of Slovenia, at the Presidential Palace in the capital, Ljubljana, yesterday afternoon.

The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said his talks with the President of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, on Monday were constructive and would contribute to developing relations between the two countries at various levels.

The talks between the two officials focused on bilateral cooperation between Qatar and Slovenia, and the ways to develop them in various political, investment, economic, cultural, and tourism levels..

The two leaders also exchanged views on several regional and international issues of common interest.

In a joint press statement after meeting with the President at the presidential palace in the capital Ljubljana, the Emir said they discussed the latest regional and international developments, particularly those in Europe and the Middle East.

The Qatari Emiri Diwan said in a statement that the Slovenian President praised the development of bilateral relations and cooperation in various aspects, and said he looks forward to developing Slovenian-Qatari partnership to broader horizons, especially with the promising investment opportunities for the two countries and cooperation in energy.

Later, the Emir met Slovenia’s Prime Minister Janez Jansa at the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana.

During the meeting, the officials discussed the means to bolster cooperation, and several issues of joint interest.

The Emir of Qatar and the President of Slovenia witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Qatar Holding and Spirit Agency to encourage entrepreneurship, foreign investment, and technology in Slovenia.

Sheikh Tamim and the President also inaugurated the Islamic Center in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana on Monday.

The Emir toured the mosque, the cultural building, the library, and the educational departments within the center, which aims to contribute to the consolidation of the tolerant values of Islam among the Muslims of Slovenia, in addition to playing a role in spreading tolerance and moderation among all its attendees.

The Emir begins a two-day official visit to Spain on Tuesday, which the Spanish Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.

Most Viewed

 
Gulf

Indian PM: ‘Economic Corridor’ Is the New Silk Route of the 21st Century

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in September 2023. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in September 2023. (SPA)
TT
20
TT

Indian PM: ‘Economic Corridor’ Is the New Silk Route of the 21st Century

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in September 2023. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in September 2023. (SPA)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), launched in 2023, will define the future of connectivity in all forms for centuries to come and will become the key catalyst of commerce, connectivity and growth in the entire region.

“It can be the new Silk Route of the 21st century that will bring benefit to the generations to come,” Modi said in an interview with Arab News ahead of his third visit to Saudi Arabia since 2016.

The PM is traveling on Tuesday to the Kingdom, where he will hold talks with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on commercial and investment relations in addition to the energy sector.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of India’s most valued partners — a maritime neighbor, a trusted friend and a strategic ally,” Modi said, emphasizing how bilateral relations had expanded significantly since the creation of the Strategic Partnership Council in 2019.

The PM said India and Saudi Arabia will keep moving forward together — for peace, progress and prosperity, “not just for our people, but for the entire world.”

“We consider Saudi Arabia as a force of positivity and stability in the region. As maritime neighbors, India and Saudi Arabia share a natural interest in safeguarding peace and stability in the region,” Modi affirmed.

The PM said he sees several complementarities between Saudi Vision 2030 and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 (Developed India 2047 initiative).

Modi said trade between the two countries had grown even amid global challenges, with energy, agriculture and fertilizers as key sectors, noting that the two countries are working on a Bilateral Investment Treaty.

He stressed that Indian businesses and Saudi industry are building stronger connections, which is boosting the investment partnership, particularly in the sectors of agriculture and fertilizers.

Energy has been an important pillar of Saudi Arabia and India’s economic partnership, Modi continued.

Both countries are exploring joint projects in refineries and petrochemicals and can work toward innovative solutions for future energy needs, he added.

According to the Prime Minister, Indian companies have maintained a strong presence across various sectors in Saudi Arabia and are playing a crucial role in the realization of Saudi Vision 2030.

At the same time, he invited Saudi companies to take advantage of the remarkable opportunities in India as part of the Viksit Bharat journey, by participating in the growth of India’s next-generation infrastructure, logistics, renewable energy, healthcare, utilities, innovation, start-ups and “blue economy” sectors.

At the security level, Modi said India and Saudi Arabia have seen steady progress in security cooperation.

“This includes areas such as counterterrorism, combating extremism, disrupting terror financing and tackling drug trafficking. We are also exploring new frontiers of cooperation in cybersecurity, recognizing its growing importance in today’s interconnected world,” he said.

Concerning bilateral relations between the leaderships of both countries, Modi praised Crown Prince Mohammed’s leadership, calling him “a strong advocate of our bilateral ties.

“Every time I have met him, His Royal Highness has left a deep impression on me. His insights, his forward-thinking vision, and his passion for fulfilling the aspirations of his people are truly remarkable,” he said.

At the cultural level, Modi said growing cultural connect between Saudi Arabia and India is indicative of the understanding and appreciation for each other.

“The 2.7 million vibrant Indian community in Saudi Arabia is a living bridge connecting our two countries. I commend them for not only preserving their values and traditions, but also promoting them,” he remarked.

As far as religious tourism is concerned, Modi said India has a large Muslim population that visits the Kingdom each year for Umrah and Hajj pilgrimage. “We are grateful to the Saudi leadership for the continued assistance provided to Indian pilgrims,” he stressed.