MFA Press Statement: Official Visit by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Jassim Al Thani, 4 to 5 October 2016

Call on President Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam by Qatar Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Jassim Al Thani [Photo: MCI]

Dinner hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan for Qatar Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Jassim Al Thani [Photo: MFA]

The Qatar Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Jassim Al Thani called on President Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam and Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam today.  During the call on President Tan, both sides reaffirmed the warm and friendly ties shared between Singapore and Qatar.  President Tan reiterated his invitation for the Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to visit Singapore.  President Tan expressed appreciation for His Highness Sheikh Tamim’s support for the Qatar-Singapore High Level Joint Committee as the key platform for bilateral cooperation, which His Highness had previously co-chaired.  President Tan also welcomed closer economic cooperation between both countries under the Gulf Cooperation Council-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.   

DPM Shanmugaratnam and His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed had a useful exchange of views on the economic challenges faced by states in the current global environment.  DPM Shanmugaratnam welcomed the Qatar Investment Authority’s interest to set up its Asian Headquarters in Singapore.    

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed was hosted to dinner by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan yesterday.  Both Ministers agreed that as small states, Singapore and Qatar should explore new areas of cooperation.  Minister Balakrishnan welcomed Qatar’s interest to learn from Singapore’s developmental experience.  Both Ministers also exchanged views on developments in Asia and the Middle East.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed departs Singapore this evening.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
5 OCTOBER 2016