Envoy lauds Qatar-Kazakhstan relations, Doha’s role in interfaith harmony
Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Qatar, H E Arman Issagaliyev, has said that Qatar is an important political and economic partner of Kazakhstan in the Arab world.
“Kazakh-Qatari relations are characterised by noticeable activity, as evidenced by mutual visits at the level of government members, heads of national companies and financial organisations. Our contacts were not interrupted during the pandemic, which indicates a mutual desire to deepen cooperation,” he added.
In an interview with The Peninsula, Ambassador Issagaliyev said, “The mutual desire to deepen our cooperation was once again confirmed during the meeting of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with His Highness Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Beijing in February this year as part of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.”
This meeting, he said, further strengthened the solid foundation of sincere friendly relations between the heads of both States. “In addition, regular telephone conversations have already become a good tradition.”
“We are looking forward to the state visit of H H the Amir to Nur-Sultan. I am sure that the high-level talks in Nur-Sultan will give a powerful impetus to the entire spectrum of bilateral relations.”
Talking on the nature of trade relations between the two countries, he said that despite the pandemic, in recent years “we have managed to increase trade turnover with Qatar by four times. However, it still remains at a low level.”
He added: “At the moment, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Qatar from January-November 2021 amounted to $6.32m.”
“Last year we exported Kazakh meat products to the Qatari market for the first time, which was in good demand. Currently, we are working on the supply of other types of agricultural products, which will significantly increase the indicators of trade turnover.”
Talking on Qatar’s efforts and role in promoting interfaith harmony at global level, the Ambassador said that Qatar plays a huge role in maintaining peace and harmony in this turbulent time.
“Qatari measures for the peaceful settlement of a number of acute conflicts were highly appreciated by the international community. Qatar’s fight against extremism by promoting religious tolerance and interfaith harmony deserves special attention.”
Separately, H E Issagaliyev said, it is worth noting the role of Qatar in supporting interreligious dialogue, which is the opening of the International Center for Interfaith Dialogue in Doha. “On the instructions of His Highness the Father Amir, this organisation has held a number of successful conferences on interfaith dialogue. In addition, Qatar actively participates in international events to strengthen interreligious harmony.”
He said that Kazakhstan is especially grateful to the leadership of Qatar for the comprehensive support and active participation at the congresses of leaders of world and traditional religions convened on the initiative of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
“The world recognition of the success and confidence in this initiative of Kazakhstan is evidenced by the fact that the heads of the US, Russia, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Poland, Germany, heads of major international organisations sent their greetings to the Congress.”
On Kazakhstan’s hosting of the “Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions”, Ambassador Issagaliyev said that during the entire time of the congresses, four high-level delegations took part from the Qatari side.
“This year the congress will be held in Nur-Sultan on September 14-15, the theme of which is ‘The role of leaders of world and traditional faiths in the socio-spiritual development of mankind in the post-pandemic period’. On March 7 of this year, I met with the head of the Doha International Center for Interreligious Dialogue, Dr. Ibrahim Saleh Al Naimi, and handed him an invitation from the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, M Ashimbayev, to participate in the Congress.”
“My meeting with Minister of Endowment and Islamic Affairs H E Ghanim bin Shaheen Al Ghanim is scheduled for the end of March, but he has already confirmed his participation at the congress. We expect that Qatar’s participation in such an important event will further strengthen interreligious harmony in the world.”
On future investment cooperation between the two countries, he said that Kazakhstan is actively working in this direction and intends to create the most favourable conditions for investment for Qatar.
“During the last conversation in May 2021, H H the Amir proposed to our President to prepare several major investment projects that will become a kind of locomotive of bilateral cooperation. We have identified a number of such projects and submitted them to the Qatari side for consideration. I am sure that in the near future we will be able to see positive results in this direction as well.”
The Ambassador said that Qatar’s participation in mining projects in Kazakhstan seems very promising. “The Kazakh national company Tau-Ken Samruk has been negotiating with Qatar Mining for three years to join the largest mining assets in our country. The agro-industrial complex is intended to become another mutually beneficial area of cooperation.”
To another question, the Ambassador said that 2022 will be a breakthrough year for the bilateral relations of the two countries. “We expect an exchange of high-level visits that will mark a new era of Kazakh-Qatari cooperation. During these visits, it is planned to sign about 20 important intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements in the field of investment protection and promotion, finance, Islamic economy, agriculture, mining and metallurgy, military and military-technical cooperation, healthcare, tourism, education, science and sports.”
On role of tourism in boosting ties between the two countries, he said that the main basis for the development of tourism undoubtedly played the launch of direct flights, which on March 19 was increased to 4 flights per week.
“There is a visa-free regime between our countries and quarantine measures are constantly being facilitated. Tourism will play a very important role in the bilateral relations of our countries, especially in the field of business.”
Talking on FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and its preparations, the Ambassador said that Qatar has made an impressive contribution to the development of sports and the promotion of healthy lifestyle around the world and has a colossal experience in hosting sports events, developing sports talents and over the past 15 years has become a global centre of sports thanks to the wise leadership of H H the Amir and H H the Father Amir.
“The flagship of all Qatar’s sporting achievements will be the 2022 World Cup. I am confident that this event will be Qatar’s biggest success in the sports field. I can already see considerable infrastructural development: amazing stadiums, hotels, parks and places of entertainment in Doha.”
He added: “I believe all football fans around the world will be impressed by hospitality of Qatar and have a wonderful experience from World Cup.”
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