Doha: The State of Qatar and Ukraine share solid relationship built on diverse partnerships in numerous fields, by virtue of the economic potential and distinguished geographical sites embraced by the two countries.
The Qatar-Ukraine relations are based on solid foundations of mutual respect, friendship and shared interests and have witnessed remarkable evolution during the recent years through shared visits between the leaderships of the two nations and intensified coordination and consultation on a variety of regional and global issues. The economic affairs are embodied by signed agreements and memoranda of understanding, which represent a legal foundation to carry out many joint projects and increase trade exchange between the two countries.
In this context, comes the visit of HE President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Doha. HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani receives HE the President of Ukraine at the Amiri Diwan to discuss the relationship between the two friendly countries and avenues to
reinforce them in multiple fields to serve the aspirations and interests of the two friendly nations and their people, in addition to reviewing a range of global issues of shared concern.
The visit of the HE President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marks the 31st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries that were established in 1993, since then the two sides exchanged ambassadors in November 2000.
In March 2009, the first political consultations were held between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries in Kyiv, prior to opening the State of Qatar’s Embassy in Ukraine, on Aug.16, 2013. And the credentials of a first Qatari Ambassador were received by the Ukrainian President on Sept.13, 2013.
The visit represents a new milestone of the evolving relationships between the two friendly nations to further broaden their horizons. Also, the visit underscores the rock-solid bilateral relationship, along with the political and diplomatic role the State of Qatar plays at the regiona
l and global levels.
The Qatar-Ukraine bilateral relationship is organized by an array of agreements and memoranda of understanding that echo their desire to strengthen cooperation in a variety of fields, particularly in the economic field, infrastructure, energy security, food security, tourism, sports, education, and others.
The shared visits by officials of the two nations had a profound impact on the evolution of the cooperative relationship in multiple fields, as the Qatar-Ukraine relationship was enhanced further during the official talks HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani held with HE President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Doha in April 2021. The talks culminated in signing a number of deals and memoranda of understanding between the governments of the two countries, which largely contributed to lending impetus to the Qatar-Ukraine relations and broadening their horizons.
HE President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, describing it
as the groundwork for bilateral relationship. In an interview with Qatar News Agency on the occasion of the official visit he paid to Qatar during that time, HE the President of Ukraine highlighted that notwithstanding the circumstances the world had passed through due to COVID-19 pandemic, the trade exchange between Qatar and Ukraine reached high levels in 2020, worth $150 million, emphasizing that this figure represented the double what the bilateral trade was in 2018.
HE the President of Ukraine noted the concession project obtained by the Qatari company QTerminals in the Ukrainian Olivia Port, describing this partnership as incredible and considered QTerminals as one of the most important players in the Ukrainian market.
His Excellency stated that his priority was to systematically improve investment climate and create best conditions for foreign investors in Ukraine. And for this purpose, Ukraine was reforming legislation and implementing ambitious national programs.
Throughout the recent years, the S
tate of Qatar has accomplished a plethora of crucial objectives with Ukraine on their bilateral agenda, particularly at the political and economic levels, such as the launch of direct flights between Doha and Kyiv, creating a system of visa cancellation requirements and establishing a joint government committee for economic, trade and technological cooperation.
Since the first days of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Qatar has been bound by the United Nations charter and the fundamental precepts of international law, including the commitments under the charter to settle international disputes through peaceful means, and uphold the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states as expressed by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani during the phone call he received from HE President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February 2022.
During the call, HH the Amir called on all parties to exercise restraint, solve the difference through constructive dialogue and diplomatic means, settle the int
ernational disputes through peaceful means and never pursue action that would lead to further escalation. Also, HH the Amir stressed that maintaining the humanitarian conditions for civilians and ensuring their safety are foremost priority.
As part of the State of Qatar’s humanitarian endeavors to alleviate the consequences of war on the Ukrainian people, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani announced, during his visit to Ukraine in July 2023, that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani gave directive to announce a pledge of $100 million in humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the declared amount would be directed to rehabilitate health and educational infrastructure, in addition to providing drinking water, humanitarian services and allocating 50 university scholarships, during 2023-2024, to Ukrainian students to study in Qatar.
Besides its supportive position for peaceful
solution for the crisis, the State of Qatar has played a critical humanitarian role throughout this crisis and had separately hosted a Ukrainian delegation last April, led by HE Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, alongside a delegation from the Russian Federation, led by HE Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova Belova, as part of the State of Qatar’s unwavering mediation efforts to reunify families separated by the current conflict.
In the past months, the State of Qatar succeed in organizing four reunification processes for Ukrainian children with their families in Ukraine, as part of the State of Qatar’s ongoing mediation efforts to reunify separated families due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Last April, the State of Qatar announced the arrival of 20 Russian and Ukrainian families of them 37 children in Doha under an integrated program that aimed to provide health care and an overall support for these families and their children.
The Qatari Mini
stry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that the program, in question, helps promote health recovery and stability through focusing on psychological, physical, and social health for each family member, enabling families to rebuild their life confidently and safely, pointing out that the program is implemented in partnership with representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
Last April, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights jointly announced a partnership that would promote well-being and safety in Ukraine, with the State of Qatar announcing $3 million to support the critical operation undertaken by the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.
As outlined in the joint statement, the funding aims to back the initiatives that aim to improve the life of children and Ukrainians affected by the armed conflict and the entire population through strengthening the possibility of receiving social and economic suppor
t.
In the context of its supportive position for achieving peace and stability in Ukraine, the State of Qatar participated in Ukraine Recovery Conference held in London, United Kingdom, in June 2023, with the participation of officials from roughly 60 states and leaders of major international companies. The conference was intended to help Ukraine recover through fostering the private sector’s role and building an economy capable of adapting to changes.
In December 2022, the State of Qatar participated in “In solidarity with the Ukrainian People” conference organized by France in partnership with Ukraine to remobilize support for Ukraine and provide and immediate assistance for the Ukrainian people.
At the trade and economic levels, HE the then Minister of Commerce and Industry and Acting Minister of Finance, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari and HE Minister of Finance of Ukraine, Serhiy Marchenko, co-chaired the second session of the Qatari-Ukrainian Joint Committee for Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation
, held in Kyiv, Ukraine, during Aug. 30 to Sept.2,2021.
The Qatari-Ukrainian Joint Committee discussed a broad range of topics related to reinforcing economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries in a variety of fields, such as industry, agriculture, transportation, health, education, science, technology, and culture.
The two sides agreed to take the essential steps forward to beef up trade and investment cooperation with the aim of increasing trade exchange and facilitating the flow of commodities, services, and investments between the two countries.
Ukraine’s economy largely depends on producing and exporting raw materials and machinery, transport equipment and foodstuff. And the economy is pioneering in exporting grain, meat, oil, and dairy products, in addition to iron, steel and coal, since the European Union is considered the key market for Ukrainian exports, and imports about 40% of its exports.
Source: Qatar News Agency
