“The relations between Cuba and Qatar are at an excellent and high level”, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, said to OPCIONES newspaper. Mr. Muraikhi paid a short visit to Havana for the second round of political consultations, which held its first meeting in Doha.

During his visit to the Cuban capital, Muraikhi held talks with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, and the First Deputy Foreign Minister Marcelino Medina and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Antonio Carricarti.

In addition to talking about political relations, the two sides discussed cooperation in the field of international organizations, and medical support from the island to Qatar and aspects of the new Cuban law on foreign investment.

Al-Muraikhi stressed that he is proud that his country is the first in the Gulf to open an embassy in Havana, and that the exchange between the two has always been constant. Referring to the Cuban hospital in Dukhan, near Doha, he said that it was one of the most outstanding medical cooperation achievements that any other country had ever achieved. He expressed his full satisfaction with this well-known institution in Qatar and throughout the region. He said his country is determined to expand this area, which is a symbol of cooperation between the two countries.

The minister said his country has a development fund that focuses on providing aid programs in various states and continents such as Asia, Africa, the Balkans and some Latin America.

In this regard, he explained the potential that this development fund could provide to Cuba and wished to know the areas of interest to the island, in which his country could cooperate.

The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the largest Antilles, Mr. Rashid Mairza Mahmoud Al Mulla, referred to the history and development of bilateral relations, dating back to 1989 and based on the friendship between the leaders of the two countries, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the late Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, saying that "this long history, which will be 30 years old in 2019, continues today with the same attention and enthusiasm, which allows for its continuous progress in various fields such as health, culture, education and economy." According to the Qatari diplomat "It is a remarkable progress based on a flexible policy of mutual respect, on a solid legal basis. "

"The best indicator of this is the 13 cooperation agreements signed in recent years and 11 other projects under negotiation," he said.

The official said the trade cooperation between the two countries are evidence of the good progress of these ties, as the most effective way is sought in sectors of common concern, such as health, tourism and investment (this was shown through bilateral high-level visits to explore investment opportunities ).

The visit of the emir of Qatar to the island, which he said had a major impact on deepening relations, was a positive expression of the Qatari will to accompany Cuba in this new phase of its development.

This has allowed the two countries to progress in several areas and achieve positive results, especially with the signing of a memorandum of understanding during the Amir's visit to invest in this country, which enables the State of Qatar to invest up to $ 2 billion over five years, with great benefits for both parties.

"In addition, there is agreement on exemption from visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, private and service passports in both countries, as well as a memorandum of understanding on air services and agreement on sports," the ambassador said.

The economic cooperation between Qatar and Cuba dates back many years. The sector that has achieved the greatest success so far is health, where there are many Cuban medical services there.

The Qatari ambassador said that the Cuban hospital includes more than 460 doctors and medical workers currently working in Dukhan.

The decision to establish the Cuban hospital was made in the context of the health sector agreement, taking into account the leading role and reputation of Cuba in the field of medicine (Qatar was the first country to benefit from this experience in the Gulf region).

There are also many opportunities and other areas to develop and promote this cooperation and investment in the Cuban economy, such as tourism and other areas in general, which provide possibilities for joint ventures.

"Cuba's foreign policy and positions are wise and firm. Its goal is to spread international peace and security, to condemn all means of using force and to defend the right to self-determination on the basis of respect," he said.

To be able to read the original news in Spanish, see:

http://www.opciones.cu/cuba/2018-05-08/amplian-relaciones-de-cooperacion-qatar-y-cuba/