Malaysia, Qatar in talks over tourism, education, visa waiver

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Qatar have exchanged views on wide ranging bilateral matters particularly on tourism, education and waiver of visa for Malaysian citizens.
The discussions were raised during Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman's audience and meetings with Qatari leaders on the margins of the recent 17th Doha Forum in Doha.
On Sunday, Anifah had an audience with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Hamad Al-Thani and called on the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Abdullah Nasser Khalifa Al-Thani later in the day.
A day earlier, the Malaysian foreign minister had met his Qatar counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Thani.
"The meetings and audience were aimed at re-affirming and further strengthening the existing bilateral relations between Malaysia and Qatar," said Wisma Putra in a statement here today.
It (Wisma Putra) said in the audience with the Qatari Emir, Anifah conveyed the greetings of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V and the Malaysian Government, and reiterated that Malaysia was looking forward to welcoming His Highness to Malaysia on Oct 16-17 this year.
In their discussions, they echoed that both countries would remain committed to realising the full potential of the bilateral relations between Malaysia and Qatar. Anifah also congratulated and applauded the Qatari Emir and Qatar Government for the initiative of continuing to organise the Doha Forum to provide an excellent platform for government officials, policy makers, academicians and scholars to exchange views and to share experiences and best practices in addressing the current global political, economic and social challenges.
Wisma Putra said during the call on the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah and Anifah expressed views that there remained huge potential for collaboration, particularly in the field of tourism, health tourism and investment.
Both countries agreed towards finalising various memoranda of understanding to be signed during the State Visit of Emir of Qatar to Malaysia, it added.
Wisma Putra said during the call on the Qatar Foreign Minister, the discussion was centred around several bilateral, regional and global issues such as the United States-North Korea crisis, South China Sea and the conflicts in Palestine, Syria and Yemen, as well as reform of the United Nations Security Council.
"Both foreign ministers reiterated the commitment to continue to work together to further enhance bilateral relations between both countries," it said.
Wisma Putra said Malaysia was optimistic the meetings between Anifah and the Qatari leaders would contribute profoundly towards the enhancement of fraternal relations between the two countries on various issues of mutual interest. — Bernama