President Park Geun-hye held a summit with Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, on March 8 in Doha. The two heads of state discussed cooperation on energy and construction, currently the foundation of their relationship, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the areas of investment, nuclear energy, defense and public health.
President Park stressed that Qatar has been a close partner in both energy and construction, as well as in newer rapidly growing industries. She said that Korea and Qatar have many opportunities for cooperation in the future, as Korea has its "Creative Economy" plan and Qatar has its National Vision 2030. She hoped that bilateral cooperation would expand in high value-added industries, such as new technologies, public health and IT.
Al Thani, in return, said that Korea has been a role model for Qatar's economic development and one of its closest partners in Asia, adding that Qatar is prepared to broaden the scope of bilateral cooperation to more diverse areas. He said that, after his visit to Korea last year, Qatar waived any visa requirements for Koreans visiting the country and that he has commanded relevant ministries to carefully evaluate 48 promising investment projects put forward by Korean firms in January this year.
Energy
Al Thani said that he understands the importance of President Park's so-called "Northeast Asia oil hub," adding that Qatar is currently considering its strategy, technologies and commercial aspects. The president, in turn, said that she looks forward to additional negotiations. She also hoped that the two nations would work together on energy, particularly on the development of smart grids, a promising area of new growth in the energy industry.
Construction & power plants
President Park said that many Korean corporations collaborated on infrastructure for the 2002 World Cup and that they could be useful partners as Qatar prepares for the 2022 World Cup. She also asked that more Korean corporations participate in desalination projects in Qatar. Al Thani said that he hopes more Korean corporations would participate in both areas, and that Korean firms take leading positions as the country prepares for the World Cup.
Public health & medicine
President Park said that the two nations should establish regulations as soon as possible so that Qatari health insurance would cover operations undertaken in Korea. She said that medical workers should receive more training, so as to offer a broader range of medical services. She also hoped that Qatar's own medical professionals would visit Korea for training. Al Thani said that he has a lot of interest in bilateral cooperation on public health and medicine, and that he hopes for more solid cooperation.
Nuclear energy
President Park said that the two nations should expand bilateral cooperation on nuclear energy, based on their agreement to develop human resources and to conduct R&D in the field. Regarding that issue, Al Thani said that Qatar operates nuclear reactors for research purposes and that it is paying attention to the development of a professional nuclear workforce. He hoped that the two nations could expand cooperation in the area, too.
Education & tourism
President Park expressed satisfaction for the MOUs adopted this time that cover bilateral cooperation on education and tourism. She requested that senior-level Qatari officers participate in the World Education Forum 2015, scheduled to take place in May. Al Thani expressed his interest in the issue, showing a positive attitude toward the participation of Qatar in the forum. Al Thani promised that Qatar's environmental minister would attend the World Water Forum that will take place in Korea in April. He said that the two nations should work together to solve the diverse range of issues surrounding clean water.
Korean Peninsula
Finally, Al Thani expressed his support for every effort that the Korean government has made concerning affairs on the Korean Peninsula. He said that Qatar has joined forces to support U.N. sanctions against North Korea because of its nuclear weapons, and urged that they be further strengthened. Regarding this issue, President Park reminded him of their talk about North Korea's nuclear weapons and about affairs on the Korean Peninsula at their bilateral summit last year. She expressed her gratitude for Qatar's active support for her government's inter-Korean policies.
By Wi Tack-whan, Lee Seung-ah
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae
Korea.net Staff Writers
whan23@korea.kr
President Park stressed that Qatar has been a close partner in both energy and construction, as well as in newer rapidly growing industries. She said that Korea and Qatar have many opportunities for cooperation in the future, as Korea has its "Creative Economy" plan and Qatar has its National Vision 2030. She hoped that bilateral cooperation would expand in high value-added industries, such as new technologies, public health and IT.
Al Thani, in return, said that Korea has been a role model for Qatar's economic development and one of its closest partners in Asia, adding that Qatar is prepared to broaden the scope of bilateral cooperation to more diverse areas. He said that, after his visit to Korea last year, Qatar waived any visa requirements for Koreans visiting the country and that he has commanded relevant ministries to carefully evaluate 48 promising investment projects put forward by Korean firms in January this year.
President Park Geun-hye (third from left) and Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, hold a bilateral summit at the Diwan Emiri Royal Palace in Doha on March 8.
Energy
Al Thani said that he understands the importance of President Park's so-called "Northeast Asia oil hub," adding that Qatar is currently considering its strategy, technologies and commercial aspects. The president, in turn, said that she looks forward to additional negotiations. She also hoped that the two nations would work together on energy, particularly on the development of smart grids, a promising area of new growth in the energy industry.
Construction & power plants
President Park said that many Korean corporations collaborated on infrastructure for the 2002 World Cup and that they could be useful partners as Qatar prepares for the 2022 World Cup. She also asked that more Korean corporations participate in desalination projects in Qatar. Al Thani said that he hopes more Korean corporations would participate in both areas, and that Korean firms take leading positions as the country prepares for the World Cup.
Public health & medicine
President Park said that the two nations should establish regulations as soon as possible so that Qatari health insurance would cover operations undertaken in Korea. She said that medical workers should receive more training, so as to offer a broader range of medical services. She also hoped that Qatar's own medical professionals would visit Korea for training. Al Thani said that he has a lot of interest in bilateral cooperation on public health and medicine, and that he hopes for more solid cooperation.
Nuclear energy
President Park said that the two nations should expand bilateral cooperation on nuclear energy, based on their agreement to develop human resources and to conduct R&D in the field. Regarding that issue, Al Thani said that Qatar operates nuclear reactors for research purposes and that it is paying attention to the development of a professional nuclear workforce. He hoped that the two nations could expand cooperation in the area, too.
Education & tourism
President Park expressed satisfaction for the MOUs adopted this time that cover bilateral cooperation on education and tourism. She requested that senior-level Qatari officers participate in the World Education Forum 2015, scheduled to take place in May. Al Thani expressed his interest in the issue, showing a positive attitude toward the participation of Qatar in the forum. Al Thani promised that Qatar's environmental minister would attend the World Water Forum that will take place in Korea in April. He said that the two nations should work together to solve the diverse range of issues surrounding clean water.
Korean Peninsula
Finally, Al Thani expressed his support for every effort that the Korean government has made concerning affairs on the Korean Peninsula. He said that Qatar has joined forces to support U.N. sanctions against North Korea because of its nuclear weapons, and urged that they be further strengthened. Regarding this issue, President Park reminded him of their talk about North Korea's nuclear weapons and about affairs on the Korean Peninsula at their bilateral summit last year. She expressed her gratitude for Qatar's active support for her government's inter-Korean policies.
President Park and Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, attend a MOU signing ceremony at the Diwan Emiri Royal Palace in Doha on March 8.
By Wi Tack-whan, Lee Seung-ah
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae
Korea.net Staff Writers
whan23@korea.kr
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