14 Mar 2012
Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean paid courtesy calls on the Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani; and Chairman of the Qatari Administrative Control and Transparency Authority, His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah on 14 March 2012.
His Highness the Emir and DPM Teo expressed satisfaction with the excellent state of relations. His Highness welcomed the good progress in bilateral cooperation achieved at the 5th Meeting of the Qatar-Singapore High-Level Joint Committee. As two small countries, Qatar and Singapore share many mutual interests. DPM Teo congratulated His Highness on Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 18th Conference of Parties (COP-18) of the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change later this year.
During DPM Teo's call on His Excellency PM Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral ties. They agreed that Singapore and Qatar were well-positioned to play a role as gateways to their respective regions and there was scope to explore business opportunities in third countries. DPM Teo and His Excellency PM Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim also had a useful exchange of views on regional issues.
At his meeting with His Excellency Abdullah Al Attiyah, DPM Teo congratulated the latter on his appointment as President for COP-18. They agreed that as countries with small populations, Singapore and Qatar share many common interests under the climate change agenda. His Excellency Abdullah Al Attiyah noted the active role played by Singapore in the COP process and welcomed Singapore's contributions in the run up to COP-18.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
14 MARCH 2012