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The strengthening of relations between Romania and the Arab world was the main topic for discussions between the Romanian and Qatari PMs, Viorica Dancila and Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, on Wednesday.
The two PMs appreciated the high level of bilateral cooperation and agreed on the importance of continuing approaches to further strengthen economic cooperation and also the need for extending cooperation to the key sectors of the national economies, such as transport, healthcare, agriculture and tourism, informs a release sent to AGERPRES by the Government.
"While reflecting on the Romanian Government's commitment to strengthen relations between Romania and the Arab world, PM Viorica Dancila voiced her appreciation for the openness of the Doha authorities towards the states situated beyond their traditional cooperation area, including Romania. She underscored the fact that our country has an attractive business environment, improved through the recent legislative changes, such as those brought to the law on the public-private partnership and encourages a more robust presence of the Qatari companies in the Romanian economy. The Romanian PM showed that the national authorities sought to ensure a climate of peace and security for the citizens of the two states must be doubled by sustainable national plans of economic development, with clearly shaped objectives. Moreover, the Romanian dignitary evoked the symbolism of the year 2018, namely the anniversary of 140 years on December 18 since the establishment of the Qatari state and the celebration on December 1, 2018 of 100 years of existence of the Romanian modern state," said the same source.
The Qatari Prime Minister hailed the convergence in approaching the topical issues of the bilateral relation, such as Romania's taking over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, in the first half of 2019. He thanked Romania for the "consistent and balanced" standpoints of the Romanian representatives to the European Parliament in files of interest for the Qatari side.
The head of the Government in Doha showed interest in a more robust presence of the Qatari companies in Romania and investments in the key sectors of the Romanian economy and underscored the importance of agreeing on a structured business mechanism, including through the organisation of some economic forums, which will strengthen the bilateral relation on this dimension.
The meeting also occasioned an exchange of opinions on topical issues on the international and regional agenda. PM Dancila showed that Romania will continue to promote a political solution to the regional disputes, based on dialogue and negotiation. She specified that, in the context in which Romania prepares to take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, our country will plead for strengthening the efforts of promoting peace and security in this region, as well as on maintaining a constant dialogue between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council. According to the PM, the establishment of a solid commercial bridge between the Arab states of the Gulf and the European Union will contribute to the identification of concrete cooperation projects, with benefits for both sides.
The two PMs attended the signing of three bilateral cooperation documents, the fields of agriculture, tourism and cooperation between the diplomatic institutes in the two states.
The meeting was followed by a working lunch hosted by the Qatari PM, at the Emir's Palace. During the afternoon, PM Dancila is going to pay a visit to Baladna, the largest farm in the Qatari state, located at 60 kilometers far from capital Doha.
