President Mirziyoyev with Emir Al Thani
Emir Al Thaniwith President Mirziyoyev
Emir of Qatar Makes Historic Visit to Uzbekistan
By Elaine Pasquini
Photos by Phil Pasquini
Samarkand: At the special invitation of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, made an historic two-day visit to the Central Asian republic beginning June 5.
Although the two Muslim countries have enjoyed diplomatic ties for over 25 years, the Emir’s brief sojourn marks his first state visit to Uzbekistan, reflecting the growing cooperation between the two nations.
Also of special note was the opening of the Qatari embassy on May 7 in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. In order to facilitate ease of travel between the two countries, President Mirziyoyev issued a presidential order establishing a visa-free entry for Qatari citizens. An Uzbek Embassy is also scheduled to open in Doha in the near future.
During Al Thani’s visit, the two leaders discussed development of bilateral relations, increasing political dialogue, cultural exchange, and large investment projects in various sectors like energy, agriculture, infrastructure, logistics and tourism.
In 2022, according to the official Statistics Agency under the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 5.2 million foreign tourists visited the country. Projections are that the sector’s growth will create 3.5 million jobs in anticipation of meeting a near future goal of nine million foreign tourists.
Of important regional interest were discussions with the intent to establish the shortest, most reliable and safe corridors connecting Central Asia with the Gulf countries, along with the prospects of a joint Trans-Afghan railway project.
Before talks began in Samarkand’s Congress Center , President Mirziyoyev escorted Emir Al Thani on a tour of the city’s famous Silk Road historical sites and monuments, including its world-famous Registan.
After the highly successful meetings ended, a signing ceremony was held confirming the commitments contained in the agreements involving Qatar’s leading companies in large investment projects across multiple sectors, including energy, gas, chemical, agriculture, infrastructure, logistics and tourism, the value of which exceeds 12 billion dollars.
Before departing following his successful trip, the Emir extended an invitation to President Mirziyoyev to visit Qatar. The two leaders also agreed to convene an Uzbekistan-Qatar investment forum in September.
(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)
