Qatari media conducted an interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, you will find details.
Kiev. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – April 07, 2021 – Diplomatic Affairs
What is the purpose of the visit of the President of Ukraine to the State of Qatar?
– First of all, I would like to emphasize that the Emir of the State of Qatar and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani share a common vision on the need to intensify Qatari-Ukrainian relations. I especially appreciate the opportunity to pay a visit at such a difficult time, as the entire world faces a global coronavirus pandemic.
The members of the Ukrainian delegation and I noticed the sincere warm hospitality with which we were received in Qatar. I am particularly pleased that my visit is taking place on the eve of the twenty-eighth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Qatar. I am very happy that during this time our country has built a truly strong partnership based on the principles of trust, friendship, and mutual respect.
Of course, the main purpose of my visit is to negotiate with the leadership of the State of Qatar, especially with the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Qatar, Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani. I believe that maintaining the high dynamics of political dialogue at the highest level between our two countries is an important component of the further development of a mutually beneficial partnership. I appreciate the efforts of Qatar, which has occupied a worthy place in the literal sense among the most advanced countries in the world.
In recent years, we have been able to significantly intensify cooperation between the two countries in various fields. However, I know that the potential for our partnership is much greater. Therefore, I am convinced that my visit to Qatar will give an additional impetus to deepening the friendly Ukrainian-Qatari relations.
Who will accompany the President of Ukraine during this visit? Who is a member of the Ukrainian delegation?
A large high-ranking delegation accompanies me during the visit. This indicates a large number of important projects and prospects for expanding cooperation in various fields. In particular, our delegation includes the ministers of interior, energy, and agricultural policy, and a number of heads of state institutions and institutions, including in the field of infrastructure and military-technical cooperation, who will hold separate talks with their partners here in Doha.
What can you say about the Qatari-Ukrainian relations in general?
Ukraine considers Qatar one of the main partners in the Gulf region and the Arab world as a whole. We are working now to increase the volume of economic cooperation and expand cooperation between our two countries in all areas of common interest.
Examples include the continued growth of bilateral trade, the introduction of direct flights between our capital, and the introduction of visa-free travel for citizens of both countries.
What are the agreements to be signed during this visit?
Today we plan to sign a package of bilateral documents on deepening cooperation in the legal and security fields, in the fields of food security, energy, youth and sports, and health care. We also plan to sign documents of mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates and driver’s licenses.
A number of trade and investment agreements will be signed to expand investment cooperation between the two countries.
For several years, both sides have actively worked on these important documents. This is difficult and continuous work, and I am grateful to the experts participating in the relevant ministries and institutions in Ukraine and Qatar.
How do you evaluate the progress of joint economic and investment projects between the two countries?
As President of Ukraine, I consider it necessary not only to attract foreign investment. My entire team, our government is working actively to provide transparent and predictable conditions for investors, so that the business is comfortable to operate in our country. I would like to stress that Ukraine is open to attracting foreign investment, including sovereign and investment funds, in Qatar, in areas such as advanced technology, infrastructure, finance, energy, and agriculture.
Trade and economic cooperation is the basis of our relations with the State of Qatar. It is gratifying that bilateral trade has reached high levels of nearly $ 150 million as a result of such a difficult “epidemic” in 2020. The United States of America. This is twice as much, for example, in 2018. This year, the dynamics of trade between our two countries have increased. Nevertheless, I am confident that the potential for trade and economic cooperation between us is much greater. We see the intensification of relations in various fields.
A good example of these opportunities is the assignment of the Ukrainian port of Olbia by Qatari company QTerminals. It is good for such large companies to enter the Ukrainian market. For my part, I would like to assure you once again that my priority is to systematically improve the investment climate and create the best conditions for foreign investors in Ukraine. To this end, we are reforming legislation and implementing ambitious national programs.
In February 2021, it signed a law on so-called investments, which provides for state support for strategic investors with investments in excess of 20 million euros. We already have a law on concessions, which encourages public-private partnerships.
Promising to investors the mega project “Grand Building”, which includes the construction of roads and other infrastructure facilities.
This summer, we are launching a historic land reform that establishes transparent relationships in the agricultural sector. Ukraine is famous for its rich chromosomes around the world. Two-thirds of our lands are fertile soil. This is more than 42 million hectares of agricultural land. Therefore, in the agricultural sector, we have many areas to invest: in animal husbandry, agricultural product processing, and logistical infrastructure.
Where do you see new prospects for political, economic, and commercial cooperation between the two countries?
Ukraine is a strong supplier of mineral products. We are also a trusted supplier of agricultural and food products. Our country is ready to act as a guarantor of global food security. Ukrainian exporters are already able to carry out the necessary certification procedures, first of all, to comply with halal requirements.
We are interested in expanding air services between Ukraine and Qatar, which will help, among other things, to create the right conditions for the development of cooperation in the field of tourism.
I hope that this year, despite COVID-19, we will be able to hold the second meeting of the Ukrainian-Qatari Intergovernmental Committee for Economic, Trade, and Technical Cooperation.
How do you evaluate the level of coordination between the two countries on various international issues?
– I was pleased to know the results of the 41st summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council, especially the agreements reached on political and diplomatic reconciliation between Qatar on the one hand and Bahrain, Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Preserving the unity and solidarity of the member states of the Council remains a fundamental guarantee for further strengthening peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
We also note the active Qatari mediation efforts in resolving international conflicts, especially in the context of promoting peace in Afghanistan.
It is gratifying that our countries are maintaining close cooperation within international organizations, especially in the context of discussing the most urgent international issues. We very much hope for more support from Qatar’s partners in initiatives important to Ukraine.
I would also like to point out that Ukraine has traditionally enjoyed a high level of cooperation with the Middle East and the Islamic world in general, and we understand the Arab countries, your culture, your history, and your contribution to the global civilization.
Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the first time in the Middle East. How can Ukraine contribute to this global event?
The key to a true holiday for the fans will be professional management and traditional hospitality in Qatar. I would like to add that Ukraine has a lot of experience in holding group events and sports competitions. In particular, in 2012 we hosted the European Football Championship, and in 2019 the final match of the UEFA Champions League between club teams took place in Kyiv. Therefore, we will be happy to share our experience with Qatari partners. These can be purely technical and security issues. Ukrainian companies are also interested in participating in the implementation of various infrastructure projects for the Qatar World Cup.
How can countries cooperate in combating the COVID-19 pandemic? How do you see international cooperation in this direction?
Today, the Coronavirus pandemic has become a common reality and a global challenge. This requires a joint effort to address this problem. Qatar has already shown its solidarity with its partners. I am grateful for the provision of humanitarian medical care to Ukraine in 2020 to combat the spread of COVID-19. I consider it a manifestation of true friendship.
We also express our gratitude to our Qatari partners for their help in evacuating Ukrainian citizens from all over the world during the most difficult times of the 2020 pandemic with Qatar Airways aircraft.
Ukraine also appreciates Qatar’s contribution to global efforts to combat the Coronavirus. The humanitarian aid provided by Qatar to many countries around the world demonstrates your country’s strong commitment to the spirit of partnership and mutual assistance in difficult times.
Read also: Ukraine considers Qatar to be one of the main partners in the Arab world
Source: Ukrgate
