QNA VALLETTA/ROME THE Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani’s one-day visit to Malta saw the two countries enter a number of bilateral agreements on Tuesday. HH the Emir and HH Sheikha Moza were given a red-carpet welcome at the presidential palace and HH the Emir also held a bilateral meeting with the Maltese Premier Lawrence Gonzi prior to a round of official talks during which the agreements and MoU were signed. The agreements included those on combating drug trafficking and organised crime, economic and technical cooperation and the establishment of a business council, besides the signing of a memorandum of understanding on education and scientific research. Members of HH the Emir’s official delegation and several Maltese ministers attended the talks. Bilateral relations, the means to advance them and a number of other issues of common interest were also discussed during the talks. After the talks, a number of agreements and MoUs were signed between the two sides. Among the agreements signed was a bilateral cooperation agreement between the governments of the two countries on combating drug trafficking and organised crime. Another agreement signed pertained to economic and technical cooperation. Qatari Chambers of Commerce and Industry also signed an Tonio Borg and his wife.

Qatar’s Ambassador to Malta HE Saad bin Nasser al Hamaidi, Ambassador of Malta to Qatar HE Frank Galea and a number of Maltese officials were at hand to welcome them.

Before leaving Rome at noon on Tuesday after a two-day state visit, HH the Emir and HH Sheikha Moza were accorded a redcarpet farewell at the Quirinal Republican Palace by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, his wife and other dignitaries.

HH the Emir sent cables to the Italian president Prime Minister Mario Monti expressing his deep thanks and appreciation for the hospitality during the visit.

HH the Emir and HH Sheikha Moza also met the Mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno and his wife Isabella Rauti at the seat of the Municipality of Rome in the Piazza del Campidoglio.

During the meeting, they reviewed a set of issues of common concern.

HH the Emir also met at his residence in Rome with former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday.

HH Sheikha Moza attended the meeting which was also attended by a number of dignitaries from the official delegation accompanying HH the Emir. Several issues of common concern were reviewed during the meeting.agreement with the Maltese Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the establishment of a joint council for businessmen of the two countries. A MoU on cooperation in education and scientific research was also inked on the occasion. HH the Emir also met Maltese President Dr George Abela at the Presidential Palace in Valletta, the capital of Malta. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed ties of joint cooperation and means of enhancing and developing them.HH the Emir and HH Sheikha Moza attended the dinner banquet hosted in their honour by the President of Malta and his wife. A red-carpet welcome reception was accorded to them upon their arrival with the accompanying delegation at the presidential palace. Upon arrival at Malta International Airport from Italy earlier in the day, HH the Emir and HH Sheikha Moza were welcomed by the Maltese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister