President Pirc Musar and Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani commit to closer cooperation between the two countries

Bilateral relations between Slovenia and Qatar are cordial, and political relations have further intensified in recent years. In May 2022, Emir Al Thani visited Slovenia and formally inaugurated the Muslim Cultural Centre in Ljubljana. Today's visit therefore represents a continuation of high-level political engagement. Qatar is an important country and a regional player in the Middle East, particularly due to its mediating role in negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

Both heads of state expressed satisfaction that relations between the two countries continue to strengthen year on year, and both voiced their expectation that the Slovenian visit, which includes a sizeable business delegation, will contribute to the further development and strengthening of their partnership.

Although economic cooperation between the two countries is currently modest, mostly limited to trade, there are many opportunities for progress. Significant untapped potential exists in sectors such as energy, green technologies, engineering, healthcare (particularly rehabilitation), logistics and distribution, and the food and furniture industries. There is also potential for Qatari investment in Slovenia.

Increased cooperation in the tourism sector is also possible, with Slovenia expressing a desire for Qatar Airways to establish a direct flight connection between Doha and Ljubljana in the near future. This would make it easier for Qatari citizens to travel to Slovenia and enable Slovenians to more easily visit Qatar and the wider region. Slovenia views Qatar as a reliable and trustworthy strategic partner for supplying natural gas supply to the EU, which aligns with ongoing efforts to diversify energy sources.

During the visit, President Pirc Musar and Emir Al Thani exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East. They focused primarily on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the peace process and other current regional issues. President Pirc Musar emphasised her support for the two-state solution, stating that it is the only way to ensure lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

President Pirc Musar also met Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, the mother of the current Emir and a renowned figure for her extensive contributions to education and social reforms in Qatar and around the world. As Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation, she oversees Education City and numerous other development projects. Slovenian predsident alsomet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani Prime Minister and Minister for foreign affairs of te State of Qatar.

During the wist a cooperation agreement between ITF Enhancing Human Security and the Qatar Fund for Development was signed to procure rehabilitation equipment for the Palestine Hospital in Bethlehem. These two organisations have previously collaborated successfully on humanitarian issues, particularly in the rehabilitation of children from Gaza.

As part of her visit, President Pirc Musar also met with students at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, engaging them in discussions about current global affairs. She emphasised the importance of maintaining multilateralism as the guiding principle of international relations. "When countries work together, they can achieve far more than when they act alone in pursuit of narrow interests. This approach undoubtedly also applies to the European Union too. If it acted more cohesively, it would be easier for the Member States to face the technological and political challenges that lie ahead. The Middle East could also contribute its own experience, which could open promising avenues for states in the region. Disunity, confusion, and chaos create the best conditions for those players who know precisely what they want to achieve with their policies — goals that benefit their own states first, with little or no benefit for anyone else," she cautioned.

Concluding her visit the Education City centre, President Pirc Musar also toured the project of the Slovenian company Duol, which designs, produces and installs a wide range of unique and versatile membrane structures.