Doha, 09 Nov. 2021

BILATERAL diplomatic relations between Qatar and Moldova are based on the principle of friendship and reciprocity, Ambassador of Moldova to Qatar, Prof.  Victor Tvircon has said. Qatar was the first country in the Arab Region to have its embassy in Moldova (in Chisinau) and Moldovan embassy in Doha, the ambassador noted.

He  was speaking on the occasion of his country’s 30th Independence Day celebrations at Diplomatic Club in Doha.  Present on the occasion were Mohamed Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communication and Information Technology; Ambassador Saoud Abdulla Zaid Al Mahmoud, Director of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ambassador Ibrahim Yousuf Al Fakhroo, Director of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; former ambassador Dr. Hassain Ali Hussien Al Nuama; Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, ambassador of Eritrea and Dean of Diplomatic Corps, dignitaries, ambassadors, members of the Moldovan community and guests.

The ambassador paid his gratitude to the Amir of State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani for this assistance and solidarity with Moldova on Qatar's donation in 2020 and 2021 of medical aid to fight Covid-19 pandemic, the first medical aid sent by an Arab country to Moldova.

“In addition, there have been a number of successful working visits of Moldovan dignitaries from Doha Forum to various fields at the level of prime minister, ministers and at the organisations level,” he said, adding that a visit by Moldovan prime minister to Qatar along with a group of businessmen is also expected.

Talking about economic, trade and investment ties, he pointed to the 11 bilateral agreements between the countries covering national economy, diplomatic training, health, investment, trade, tourism, air services, education, police training, culture, and sports. “Moreover, several MoUs and agreements are on the anvil in sectors like agriculture, double taxation avoidance and civil aviation.

The Moldovan envoy added that his country has free trade agreements with 43 countries from the EU (DCFTA), CIS, CEFTA, GUAM and Turkey, and also is a WTO member state since 2001. “Thus, Moldova has trade facilitation rules both with the EU and Eurasian areas, making it a kind of a commercial hub between the East and the West. Thus, it can be attractive for Qatari manufacturers, producers and exporters,” he said.

“The commercial and economic relations between our countries may be developed by enhancing the legal framework, by encouraging the participation of Qatari companies in the activity of Free Economic Zones, Industrial Parks of the Republic of Moldova and IT Park ‘Tekwill’ that offers attractive conditions for foreign investors and participation in the tenders for infrastructural projects.” Both countries, he noted, have agreement on cooperation in the field of culture signed that was signed.

In collaboration with the National Museum of Art of the Republic of Moldova and Cultural Village Foundation, a Moldovan contemporary art exhibition ' Connections' is arranged which will display art works of the Moldovan artists Moldovan ‘Connections’ until November 15. In addition, a concert of the panpipe master Constantin Moscovici and a Moldovan cultural week is in pipeline.

Katara Cultural Village Foundation has also invited Moldova to participate in the installation of a sculpture on its territory that will symbolise the Moldovan-Qatari friendship. It has also invited painters from Moldova to attend the Horses Culture Festival in 2022.

He said the two countries had signed an MoU in 2018 to promote and cooperate in building strong sport ties. Both the national football teams -- Senior and U-20
played two friendly matches in 2017 and 2019, and both concluded on a friendly of 1-1 draw.

The Moldovan envoy is keen to develop strong relations between both the country's concerned bodies of Table Tennis and Chess. It is to note that Moldovan national chess champion Victor Bologan is the coach of the Qatari National Chess team.

The ambassador congratulated the authorities on successful completion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums and other infrastructure well in time. “I have strong confidence that the world will see a show and celebrate football like never before,” he concluded