The Ambassador of Germany to Qatar, Hans-Udo Muzel, addressing the media at press conference held at his residence yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot/ The Peninsula
DOHA: The strong ties between Qatar and Germany in several areas have further expanded in the recent months and both countries are celebrating 45 years of diplomatic ties this year, said Ambassador Hans-Udo Muzel yesterday.
Qatar and Germany are building on existing partnerships in areas such as diplomacy, trade, culture, education and health. “Today, Qatar is a trusted and reliable partner for Germany in the region; closely cooperating with Germany in multiple areas,” said Muzel while speaking to media persons at his residence in Doha.
The long-standing and continuously intensifying relationship between Qatar and Germany will be celebrated today with the Day of German Unity at the St. Regis Hotel.
“Earlier this year, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AI Thani and a delegation visited Germany. It was the second visit of the Amir within 12 months to Germany,” the Ambassador said.
“This reflects the special relation of our two countries. Meetings with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Maas corroborated the already close cooperation in many fields and prepared the ground to further strengthen the political, cultural and economic ties between Qatar and Germany to our mutual benefit,” said Muzel.
The Joint Task Force on Trade and Investment was established on the sidelines of a forum by the Qatar Businessmen Association and the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry in September 2018.
“We are looking forward to the Task Force’s first meeting which will take place on the sidelines of the Doha Forum next month. Yet, we won’t stop there: In February next year, the Joint Economic Commission will meet in Berlin,” said Muzel.
Qatar and Germany share bilateral trade of 300 billion Euros. Germany exports wide range of technology and engineering products to Qatar. Around 100 German companies operate in Qatar.
“Germany and its companies have lots to offer to Qatar as a key partner in the pursuit of Qatar National Vision 2030 - both in terms of economic diversification and in establishing a knowledge-based economy,” said Muzel.
“Together with our Qatari partners, we are also committed to implement the announcement of H H the Amir to invest another 10 billion Euros in German companies including in SMEs over the next five years,” he added.
He also stressed that strong trade ties between Qatar and Germany have further expanded in despite the siege imposed by neighbouring countries. “Qatar has weathered the crisis in a positive manner,” said Muzel.
Last year, the Qatar Germany Year of Culture was celebrated. It brought to Doha two outstanding exhibitions on industrial design and on contemporary German art. “Numerous other cultural events helped to foster personal and societal relations between people,” said Muzel.
Germany is looking to expand its relations with Qatar in the fields of education and health as well. It also seeks more students from Qatar to study in Germany and a German higher education institution is likely to open soon in Doha.
The German International School in Doha, founded in 2008, celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. At least 300 students study at the school and they include 80 Qataris. Number of people travelling to Germany from Qatar has steadily increased as a least 30,000 visas has been issued by the embassy here.
