Qatar and Colombia enjoy strong and solid relations which have witnessed remarkable development for decades, launching promising areas and horizons for the economies of the two countries.
These relations are based on common interests and mutual respect, in addition to many agreements signed between the two countries.
The mutual visits between Doha and Bogota, especially at the leadership level, demonstrate the two countries’ keenness to strengthen bilateral relations and develop co-operation in various fields.
The visit of Colombian President Gustavo Petro to Qatar is an important step towards achieving a broader strategic partnership, including in economy, trade, tourism and investment, in addition to enhancing political and diplomatic co-operation.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will meet Petro at the Amiri Diwan, where they will discuss relations between the two countries and ways to support them and develop co-operation mechanisms.
His Highness the Amir has been to Colombia twice on official visits, in July 2016 and in November last year as part of a tour of several Latin American countries that included Brazil and Costa Rica.
The two governments have signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in tourism, ports, sports, and news exchange to strengthen bilateral engagement across various sectors.
Colombia has expressed interest in developing initiatives to support health and education, particularly in remote areas and conflict-affected regions.
A joint statement issued during the November 2024 visit said: “Both sides agreed to advance discussions toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Colombia presented a roadmap for negotiations, building on discussions held during COP 28 in Dubai in December 2023. To strengthen trade and investment ties, both countries agreed to establish a dialogue between Colombia’s National Tax and Customs Authority (DIAN) and its Qatari counterpart to enhance co-operation in taxation and customs matters.”
The statement emphasised the importance of achieving a permanent and sustainable cessation of hostilities, upholding international law and international humanitarian law regarding the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, securing the release of hostages, and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Colombia commended Qatar’s diplomatic role in promoting regional peace and stability, including its mediation efforts.
Qatar appreciated Colombia’s steadfast support for a two-state solution and its opposition to illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
As part of the bilateral visits between the two countries, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani visited Colombia in February 2013 as part of a tour that included Peru and Ecuador.
Several agreements and MoUs were signed, including one between the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Colombian Chamber of Commerce.
In October last year, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo at the Amiri Diwan.
During the meeting, they reviewed the co-operation between the two countries and ways to support and enhance it, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Additionally, the first round of political consultations between the foreign ministers of both countries was held in Bogota in October to strengthen political co-ordination.
HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Engineer Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi met Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo in Doha in October to review bilateral relations and energy co-operation.
In December, Qatar and Colombia signed an MoU to enhance and develop co-operation in the fields of education, higher education, and scientific research.
As part of the co-operation and consultation between the two countries in international forums and issues, representatives of the governments of Qatar, Colombia, and Finland emphasised in January 2022 the need for the swift implementation of the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda worldwide.
This was highlighted in a high-level statement issued by the representatives of the three governments at the conclusion of the High Level Global Conference on Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes, which was held virtually from January 19-21, 2022.
Colombia is located in the northwestern part of South America, covering an area of 1,138,000sq km, with a population of over 52mn.
It is known for its geographical diversity that includes the Andes mountains and the Amazon basin.
It is the only country in South America that has coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
Colombia is the third-largest economy in South America and one of the largest producers of coffee and flowers in the world.
It is rich in natural resources such as oil, coal, gold, and nickel.
Oil accounts for about 45% of its exports, making it one of the most important pillars of the Colombian economy
Key industries in Colombia include information technology, which is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, as well as shipbuilding, electronics, automobiles, and petrochemical industries.
Colombia is also one of the largest producers of emeralds in the world, and Colombian emeralds are famous for their high quality and distinctive pure green colour.
The Colombian government encourages foreign investment by offering tax incentives and establishing special economic zones, which helped attract global companies to invest in the country. – QNA
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Publish date : 2025-02-13 06:58:00
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