The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador, Jose Valencia, talking to The Peninsula. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
The strong relations between Qatar and Ecuador have reached new heights with several recent developments in diplomatic ties, Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Valencia said yesterday. Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s recent visit to Quito and Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno’s present visit to Doha have cemented the bilateral ties, he told The Peninsula in an exclusive interview.
“That is clearly a sign of very good and positive interaction between the head of states,” said Valencia. The Minister is in Doha on a state visit as part of President Moreno’s delegation. The delegation includes Ecuadorian Minister of Production, Foreign Trade and Investment, Chief of staff of the presidency, Minister of Communications and the First Lady Rocio Gonzalez Navas.
President Moreno will meet H H the Amir and discuss bilateral issues and also attend the Doha Forum today. Also, two bilateral agreements on cultural cooperation and port management will be signed following the meeting, according to Valencia. “We recognize the Doha Forum as one of the main platforms for decision makers, academics and politicians to get together and talk about issues that are relevant to international relations. So we really hope that on this occasion President Moreno will be able to share views on very important issues on International relations,” he said.
“Qatar and Ecuador share an excellent level of relations. This visit is an wonderful opportunity to follow up on the agreements which were signed between both countries in October related to corporation in different fields,” he added.
The visiting delegation of ministers will meet their Qatari counterparts and discuss on issues of mutual interests, today.
Further, Valencia said that ‘Qatar is an interesting market’ to explore and Ecuador will focus more on increasing the trade between both countries. “The best way to build strong relations between two nations is to connect people. If we have direct passenger flights between Qatar and Ecuador, it will be the best way to enhance that trade opportunity,” he said.
Valencia also said that Ecuador is hopeful about building a large petroleum refinery with the assistance of Qatar. “We know Qatar has the best technology and facilities for oil and energy operations. We hope to operate a new refinery soon. There is a chance of Qatar investors to participate in it and look at Ecuador as a destination which facilitates investors,” he added.
President Moreno and some members of his delegation will be leaving Doha today and others tomorrow. The relations between Qatar and Ecuador have been developing since the opening of the Embassy of Ecuador in Doha in 2012, which was followed by the opening of the Embassy of Qatar in the capital Quito in the same year.
The relations were strengthened further after the visit of Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to Ecuador in January 2013, and the visit of former President of Ecuador Rafael Correa to Qatar in October 2014.
