DOHA: Qatar accorded a warm welcome to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who arrived here yesterday on a two-day official visit.
Both countries signed a slew of agreements yesterday in the presence of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Pakistani Premier.
Nawaz Sharif and the accompanying delegation were welcomed on arrival at the Hamad International Airport by Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The Emir and the Pakistani Premier held official talks at Emiri Diwan during which they reviewed bilateral relations and means of enhancing them.
Talks dealt with the promotion of investment opportunities and broadening bilateral cooperation in energy, economy and military fields, Qatar News Agency reported.
The two leaders also discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern, particularly the latest developments in the Middle East. Following the talks, the Emir and the Pakistani Prime Minister witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements.
They included an agreement for cooperation to import Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) between Qatar Petroleum (QP) and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources of Pakistan, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in radio and television sector and an MoU for cooperation in health sector.
Another MoU on academic research and cooperative activities between was also signed.
Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and a number of ministers and senior officials attended the signing ceremony.
Members of the official delegation accompanying the Pakistani Prime Minister were also present. The Emir yesterday held a luncheon banquet in honour of Nawaz Sharif and the accompanying delegation.
Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited (2) (Qatargas 2) signed a long-term agreement to supply Pakistan State Oil Company Limited (PSO) with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) was signed by Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, Qatar Petroleum President and CEO, and Chairman of Qatargas Board of Directors, and Sheikh Imran ul Haque, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PSO.
Under the terms of the agreement, Qatargas 2 will supply 3.75 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG to PSO for a period of 15 years with the first cargo expected to be delivered in March 2016. Al Kaabi described the agreement as "a very important milestone in Qatar's standing as a reliable energy supplier as it marks the first direct long term agreement between the two companies."
© The Peninsula 2016
