DOHA, 11 March 2008 — Crown Prince Sultan, who arrived here on a historic three-day visit yesterday, was met on arrival at Doha airport by Emir Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al-Thani, Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad ibn Jassem Al-Thani and senior Cabinet members.
He is due to discuss major international issues and ways of bolstering ties between the two countries with top Qatari leaders.
“My visit is a continuation of high-level contacts between the two countries to promote deep-rooted brotherly ties and boost cooperation in all areas,” said the crown prince, adding that the visit will also lead to strengthening the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Qataris welcomed the crown prince. Sheikh Hamad ibn Jassem said the visit would take Saudi-Qatari relations to new heights. “We welcome the great guest to our country,” he said.
Abdul Rahman Al-Attiyah, secretary-general of the GCC, said the visit reinforced brotherly relations between the two countries.
Eissa Al-Kawari, vice chairman of the Qatari Shoura Council, said strong ties between the two countries augur well for bilateral cooperation.
Muhammad Al-Kebaisi, a Shoura member, said he expected Saudi-Qatari economic relations to become even stronger in coming years.
Ahmed ibn Ali Al-Qahtani, the newly appointed Saudi ambassador to Doha, said he would give priority to strengthening economic ties and encourage Qatari businessmen to invest in the Kingdom and vice versa.
Saudi Arabia is Qatar’s largest trading partner with the latter’s imports from the Kingdom steadily rising over the years.
Sheikh Khalifa ibn Jassem, chairman of the Qatari Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said his organization would facilitate investment in Qatar by easing rules for Saudi entrepreneurs to invest in his country.
Businessman Abdullah Al-Khater said, “The royal visit will pave the way for greater GCC integration.”
Tarek Al-Maliki, chairman of Al-Khaliji Commercial Bank, said the visit would have a positive impact on the GCC common market, which was launched in January this year.
Qatari newspapers also highlighted the significance of the crown prince’s visit, saying it would open a new chapter in Saudi-Qatari relations.
“The visit will have a positive impact not only on the two countries but also on the joint GCC effort,” noted Jaber Al-Harmi, deputy editor in chief of Al-Sharq.
