Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will lead well-wishers to welcome the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, who will arrive in Qatar today on a two-day official visit.
The Emir and King Salman will discuss means of enhancing the well-established fraternal relations and the latest developments on the regional and international arenas.
The country is all set for this historic visit, with Qatari and Saudi flags and huge signboards with pictures of the Emir and King Salman adorning the roads and streets across the city.
Qatar's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer Al Thani yesterday described the visit as a "consolidation of the distinguished strong historic and fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries."
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the Ambassador said that the meeting between the Emir and King Salman opens vast prospects for joint action and cooperation in all areas and emphasises more cohesion and interdependence among the GCC member states.
“The mutual visits represent a chance to enhance the brotherly relations between the two countries and peoples while offering a suitable opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest as well as regional and international issues,” said the ambassador.
Bilateral ties are not limited to the formal side between the two governments and officials but have also reached out to the grassroots level, he said, referring to the various events which brought together businessmen in both countries, besides the increased number of visitors from Saudi Arabia to Qatar placing Doha and other Qatari cities as popular tourist destinations for Saudi families.
Trade and economic relations between Doha and Riyadh present an excellent model of the integration and strength of joint interests between the two countries, the Ambassador said, expressing pleasure over the successful 'Made in Qatar Exhibition 2016' organised by the Qatar Chamber for the first time in Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the Qatari- Saudi Economic Forum. The ambassador stressed the conformity of the two countries' policies and positions in all Arab issues including Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya as well as counter-terrorism issues, which now threatens the region in multiple forms.
The Palestinian cause and the efforts aimed at ending the Israeli aggression against Islamic holy sites in Al Quds and achieving the Palestinian national reconciliation have been and remain at the top of Qatar and Saudi Arabia's diplomatic priorities in all international forums, the the Qatari ambassador added.
The ambassador stressed the great role being played by Qatar in the framework of the Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen within its 'Restoring Hope' and 'Decisive Storm' operations along with the Arab, Islamic and Gulf countries participating in the coalition to protect the legitimate rights in Yemen and repel any malicious attempts to tamper the security of Saudi Arabia which is the security of the Gulf and the entire region.
The Saudi ambassador to Qatar Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Aifan expressed optimism about the success of the visit of King Salman.
Speaking to QNA, Al Aifan said: "I am confident that the talks which will be held, will also provide an important springboard to support the relentless effort to establish a stronger joint action, within the framework of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, to tackle the challenges facing the region."
He stressed the depth of the two countries relations. These relations are old and well-established, built on strong pillars, he said, adding that the Saudi-Qatar relations go beyond the common interests and bonds of neighbourly relations to be described as a common destiny relationship.
The Saudi ambassador pointed out that the relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar have reached a distinct stage in all areas and at all levels. Economic relations enjoy great support on both government and private sectors, where work is continuing, through the meetings of the Saudi-Qatari Business Council, for further cooperation between businessmen in the two countries and to overcome any obstacles they may encounter.
He pointed that the Qatari-Saudi trade volume reached about SR7bn in 2015, adding that 315 companies -fully owned by Saudis- and 303 joint companies are working in Qatar with a total capital of SR1.252bn.
Speaking to QNA on this occasion Speaker of the Advisory Council H E Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi said: “ It gives me great pleasure on my behalf and on behalf of the Advisory Council's members to welcome King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the king of firmness and determination to honour us with his historic visit to Qatar. "
He stressed the importance of this visit in light of circumstances in the region and taking into consideration Saudi Arabia's political weight, which represent a safety and stability valve for the region's peoples.
