Iran, Qatar FMs meet, discuss bilateral and regional issues

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahin meets with Qatari Prime and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani.

In the meeting, Amirabdollahian expressed pleasure with the excellent political ties between Tehran and Doha, adding that it is necessary that both sides step up their joint efforts to strengthen their trade and economic cooperation and achieve the goals set by the leaders of the two nations. He welcomed the holding of the joint economic commission of Iran and Qatar in the near future and their expert and technical meetings, voicing hope that the Tehran-Doha relations will undergo a transformation in the trade and economic fields. Amirabdollahian stressed the importance of the role of Iran's and Qatar’s ports in increasing transportation of goods and passengers between them and in boosting the activity of the ports designated for this purpose.

The top Iranian diplomat also raised consular issues including helping secure the release or transfer of Iranians held in Qatar’s jails.

Qatar’s prime and foreign minister for his part expressed satisfaction with the expansion of bilateral relations between Tehran and Doha. He said the two sides have taken good steps but they need to make more efforts to achieve the goals that have been already set. He called for properly setting goals for the purpose of holding the upcoming joint economic commission of Iran and Qatar.

The Qatari prime minister also noted that it is important for both sides to create a joint working plan to pave the way for cooperation and remove hurdles hampering such efforts. Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani added that Qatar is trying to make necessary arrangements to facilitate the activity of Iran’s private sector in Qatar.

He also announced Qatar’s readiness to boost maritime transportation cooperation with Iran, saying the relevant ministers of both sides will step up their efforts for this purpose.