Doha: Director-General for the Middle East and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Myroslava Shcherbatiuk (pictured) has said that Qatar is one of Ukraine’s main partners in the Arab world, with which the country deeply cherishes friendly and trustful ties.
The bilateral relations between Qatar and Ukraine have significantly expanded in recent years, Shcherbatiuk, told The Peninsula.
“Over the recent years, we have significantly expanded our cooperation in various fields. The political dialogue has been accelerated. We witness an increase in our trade and economic cooperation, annual growth of bilateral trade indicators. Moreover, the dynamics of our trade cooperation in 2019 is a reason to expect for a new record level of our trade turnover,” she said.
“Aiming to deepen our economic partnership, both sides established the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on economic, commercial and technical cooperation, with its first session held in Doha in November 2018. Next year, we expect to hold its second session in Ukraine.”
Shcherbatiuk also emphasised that Qatar and Ukraine have promising prospects in the development of a mutually beneficial cooperation in the investment sphere, agriculture, infrastructure, energy, culture and sport. “The launch of direct flights connecting Kiev and Doha in 2017 as well as introduction of the visa-free regime between Ukraine and Qatar in 2018 contributed to the strengthening of people-to-people ties and increasing of mutual tourist flows,” she said.
“Cooperation in the energy sector retains its importance on our bilateral agenda. Both sides continue to be engaged in direct contacts on this particular topic. Prospects of our cooperation in this sphere go beyond traditional energy resources. We are also considering possibilities of bilateral interaction in the renewable energy sector and participation of Qatari investors in different energy projects in Ukraine,” said Shcherbatiuk who was in Doha to take part in Doha Forum 2019.
She highlighted that the Doha Forum is a remarkable venue that provides an opportunity for its participants to review topical issues on the international agenda, to exchange views on the latest developments worldwide, and to share different experiences.
“Over the recent years, Ukraine has been an active participant of this event, which has become an important global platform for dialogue that brings together international experts, politicians and decision-makers from all over the world,” said Shcherbatiuk.
“I am also glad to have an opportunity to discuss with our Qatari partners from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues of the bilateral agenda on the sidelines of the Forum. As the Forum convened ahead of the celebration of the National Day of Qatar, I would like to take this opportunity and to convey cordial wishes for peace, prosperity and further progress to the leadership and friendly people of Qatar,” she added.
