The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani will make his first official visit to Poland, a strategic trade and investment destination in Europe, next week.
During the two-day visit of the Emir and a high profile delegation trade and investment agreements are set to be signed between the two countries, which will enhance bilateral relations.
The Emir will also meet many high ranking officials in Poland including its President Bronisław Komorowski and Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the visit scheduled on October 20 and 21.
“It’s clear for us that there is lot of possibilities for both countries to find new ways of collaborations. That is why we are going to sign many agreements in investment and trade cooperation,” said Robert Rostek, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Poland in Qatar. Ihe said.
Poland is seeking trade collaborations with a backdrop of a satiable economic condition, best sense of GDP and its presidency at the European Union, the ambassador explained.
The new trade contacts will be signed in addition to the agreement Poland entered with Qatar in 2009, to receive 1m tonnes of natural gas per year over 20 years.
The terminal ‘Swinoujscie LNG Terminal’ will be completed by June 2014 and is expecting the first cargo of Qatari LNG starting from July 2014, through the agreement aimed at reducing its dependence on Russian gas supplies.
“We signed an agreement in 2009 and it’s for 20 years, which means that both sides will be ready and willing to develop relations. This is not like a business contract to sign and get money, but this is really clear for both sides that are ready to develop and make the relationship wider,” said the ambassador.
“We are expecting the first cargo of Qatari LNG starting from July 2014, the value of the contract is not very big as we are talking about 1m tonnes but we have possibilities to increase the volumes,” he said.
Historically Poland was close to Russian gas and oil based in our infrastructure in the past. After we joined the European Union and Nato, we are looking at other countries on how to find ways of new countries which can supply and support us in gas and other needs,” he said.
Poland is also looking for future collaboration in sports infrastructure and cultural activities. As the 2012 UEFA European Football Championships the final tournament will be hosted by Poland and Ukraine, Poland will also support Qatar in its preparations to the 2022 World Cup.
By Fazeena Saleem ( thepeninsulaqatar )
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Source: thepeninsulaqatar, October 14, 2011; Image: qatar-conferences