The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia, the Honorable Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman held bilateral meetings on the margins of 17th Doha Forum in Doha. On 13 May 2017 Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman met his counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Following the meeting, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed also hosted Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman and the Malaysian delegation to a dinner.

Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman had an audience with the Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on 14 May 2017 and later on the same day, the Honorable Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman called on the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

The meetings and audience were aimed at re-affirming and further strengthening the existing bilateral relations between Malaysia and Qatar. Both sides had a fruitful discussion and exchanged views on wide-ranging of bilateral matters particularly on tourism, education and waiver of visa for Malaysian citizens.

In the audience with His Highness Emir, YB Foreign Minister conveyed the greetings of the SPB Agong and the Government of Malaysia to His Highness Emir of State of Qatar and reiterated that Malaysia was looking forward to welcoming His Highness Emir of the State of Qatar to Malaysia on 16-17 October 2017. His Highness and YB FM in their discussions echoed that both countries will remain committed to realizing the full potential of the bilateral relations between Malaysia and Qatar. YB FM also congratulated and applauded His Highness Emir and the Government of Qatar for the initiative of continuing to organize the Doha Forum to provide an excellent platform for government officials, policy makers, academicians and scholars to exchange views and to share experiences and best practices in addressing the current global political, economic and social challenges.

During the call on the Prime Minister of the State of Qatar, both the Prime Minister and YB FM expressed views that there remains huge potential for collaboration particularly in the field of tourism, health tourism and investment. Both countries agreed towards finalizing various Memoranda of Understandings to be signed during the State Visit of His Highness Emir of the State of Qatar to Malaysia.

During the call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, the discussion was centered around several bilateral, regional and global issues such as the US-North Korean crisis, South China Sea and the conflicts in Palestine, Syria and Yemen as well as reform of United Nations Security Council. Both Foreign Ministers reiterated the commitment to continue to work together to further enhance the bilateral relations between both countries.

Malaysia is optimistic that the meetings between Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman and the Qatari leaders will contribute profoundly towards the enhancement of the fraternal relations between the two countries on various issues of mutual interest.