Finland and Qatar to strengthen their relations


His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, paid a state visit to Finland on 10 - 11 June 2002. The Amir and President Tarja Halonen discussed political and economic relations between Finland and Qatar, development in the neighbouring areas of the two countries and the current international situation.

During the visit, on 10 June, an Agreement on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation was signed. The aim of the agreement is to enhance trade, private and public sector contacts and visits between the two countries. The agreement was signed by Minister Jan-Erik Enestam, as deputy to Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade, and by the Minister of Finance of Qatar, Yousef Hussain Kamal.

Finland and Qatar already have an agreement on civil aviation and an agreement on the protection of investments was signed in November 2001 in Doha. During the Amir's visit both countries expressed interest in opening talks on an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation.

More information: Sari Rautio, Attaché, tel: 09 160 56278, and Kari Veijalainen, Director, tel: 09 160 56538, Unit for the Middle East and North Africa, Ministry for Foreign Affaris of Finland