WARSAW: Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Poland HE Saud bin Abdullah Zaid Al Mahmoud affirmed that the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Poland would reflect positively on bilateral relations in light of the two countries' aspiration to consolidate cooperation in several fields.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), he said that Qatar is working to consolidate its relations with Poland in various fields, including political and economic fields. In return, Poland is hoping that the visit of His Highness the Amir will enhance relations between the two countries and raise them to the highest levels, he added.
The ambassador said that the most prominent topics for discussion during the visit include areas of cooperation in many sectors, such as energy, elaborating that Poland views the issue of importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar as a matter of national security, especially in light of the current conditions in the region.
The discussions also cover opportunities for cooperation in the field of joint investment, he added, noting that several Qatari companies are investing in Poland, as well as several Polish companies operating in Qatar.
The two sides will also work to stimulate the tourism field as well, as Qatar has become one of the tourist destinations for Polish citizens, especially after Qatar's exceptional hosting of the 2022 World Cup, he added, pointing out the increasing number of Arab tourists, including Qataris, to the Polish city of Zakopane. He noted that there are consultations currently taking place between Krakow Airport in southern Poland and Qatar Airways to operate direct flights between Doha and Krakow, according to what officials at Krakow Airport said.
He described the relations between Qatar and Poland as remarkable, adding that Polish officials mentioned that the two countries share views on several international issues. He also expressed that Poland appreciates Qatar's efforts in the international arena, especially its role in resolving Arab and regional conflicts, in addition to other international issues.
Warsaw appreciates Qatar's humanitarian role, and Polish circles greatly acknowledged the humanitarian aid provided by Qatar to Ukraine, he said, adding that Polish media commended Qatar's role in reuniting Ukrainian children from Russia with their families.
Qatar's ambassador to Poland also pointed out that Doha and Warsaw have many agreements and memoranda of understanding in several military, cultural, economic, commercial and tourism fields, in addition to air services and other areas of cooperation.
The volume of trade exchange between the two countries in 2023 reached about QR4.8bn, with Qatari exports to Poland amounting to about QR3.9bn, the most important of which is liquefied natural gas, while the value of Polish exports to Qatar amounted to about QR897mn.
He considered that enhancing mutual investments would strengthen cooperation between the two countries, indicating that investors see Qatar as a politically stable country with great economic potential that is rapidly growing and may be a gateway for Polish products in the region.
On the other hand, Poland (a member of the European Union) is located in the heart of Europe, linking the East and the West, he said, adding that the country is characterized by political and economic stability, and it adopts encouraging investment policies for foreign investors, such as tax exemptions and the establishment of free economic zones, which makes it an attractive country for investment.
