States Ambassador Al-Dehaimi of Qatar at the National Day reception of his country

By The Korea Post Reporters Lee Young-woong, Lee Seong-woong

Ambassador Mohamed Abdulla Al-Dehaimi of Qatar said, “This year, as we celebrate the National Day, our relationship with the Republic of Korea has progressively witnessing a tangible development at all aspects. Al-Dehaimi of Qatar made the statement at a reception he and Mrs Al-Dehaimi hosted at the Dynasty Hall of the Hotel Shilla in Seoul on Dec 10, 201 in celebration of the Anniversary of the National Day of Qatar.

Ambassador Mohamed Abdulla Al-Dehaimi of Qatar (9th from right, front row) poses with other ambassadors at the National Day reception of Qatar.

Ambassador Al-Dehami then stated, “Korea is a strategic partner to the state of Qatar, and the second largest importer of our Liquefied Natural Gas” and emphasized the fact that “despite the blockade, Qatar has fulfilled all its commitment towards Korea with respect to LNG shipments, which exceeds 10 million tons annually, or approximately 31% of Korea’s energy needs in this respect.” (See further details of his speech toward the end of this report.
The National Day reception of Qatar was attended by many Korean and international guests, as well as the ambassadors and other senior members of the Seoul Diplomatic Corps with their spouses.

Ambassador Al-Dehaimi of Qatar (7th from left) poses with other ambassadors at a specially prepared space at the reception venue on the National Day of Qatar.

Among the guests in attendance were Vice Minister Kwon Deok Cheol for Health and Welfare and Ambassadors Drumus Ersin Ercin of Turkey, Chafik Rachadi of Morocco, Antoine Azzam of Lebanon, Mohamed Salim Alharthy of Oman, Ramzi Teymurov of Azerbaijan, Mohamed Gello of Kenya.
From the media came many publishers, editors and reporters from Korea and from around the world, who included Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media with his reportorial team, especially journalism majors Lee Seong-woong and Lee Young-woong.

Ambassador Al-Dehaimi of Qatar (left) sits at a specially arranged space at the party venue with Vice Minister Kwon Deok Cheol for Health and Welfare, who attended the reception that evening representing the Korean government.

Excerpts from the speech of Ambassador Al-Dehaimi:
H.E Kwon Deok Cheol, Vice Minister for Health and Welfare, Excellences: ambassadors, head of diplomatic corps and missions in the Republic of Korea.
Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,
At the beginning, let me express my deepest gratitude for your participation today, at the national day of the state of Qatar, which is on December 18.

Ambassador Al-Dehaimi of Qatar (6th from right) and other ambassadors examine the promotion literature of the 2022 Qatar Worldcup.

This year, as we celebrate the national day, our relationship with republic of Korea has progressively witnessing a tangible development at all aspects. Korea is a strategic partner to the state of Qatar, and the second importer of our Liquefied Natural Gas LNG. Despite the blockade, Qatar has fulfilled all its commitment towards Korea with respect to LNG shipments, which exceeds 10 million tons annually, or approximately 31% of Korea’s energy needs in this respect.
Today, Qatargas company is the largest LNG supplier in the world with a production capacity of 77 million tons per annum, and recently announced LNG expansion to 110 million tonnes per annum. Qatargas has a fleet of 70 vessels, capable of delivering LNG supplies to 31 countries across the world, and most of these vessels have been manufactured by Korean companies.

Ambassador Al-Dehaimi of Qatar (7th from left) has converses with other ambassadors.

During my tenure here in Seoul, the two countries have achieved a record number in the volume of trade reached $26.6 billion, the highest ever in their bilateral trade history. Today, there is a joint taskforce team has been formed to expand trade, and diversify investments in new nonconventional areas, including: technology, smart farming, solar energy, smart grid, and joint investments in a third market. This team has successfully rap-up its last meeting in November 2018, and its recommendations on these projects, would be submitted to the 5th meeting of the Joint High Level Strategic Committee in the first quarter of 2019.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to commend the cooperation between two countries in the health area, as part of an MOU framework in the field of health welfare and medical sciences. The two parts have successfully organized series of workshops, conducting surgical operations by Korean doctors in Doha, holding training sessions for Qatari doctors in Korea. In addition to that, there is a number of Qatari patients who have received medical treatment in Korea, have expressed their satisfaction about the good level of services and medical care. Furthermore, there is a joint medical symposium will be held during January 2019, to enhance the cooperation in this field.

Korean and Qatari children clad in traditional Qatari costumes present a chorus performance.

Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to express my gratitude to the Korean officials at the Ministry of health for their efforts to develop medical services in Korea. And to the medical doctors, all hospitals, and medical centers for their vital role and outstanding services provided in this filed.
As you may all know, peace and stability are the pillars of advancement, development, and on this occasion, I want to congratulate the Korean government for the dialogue with north Korea to stop the war in the region. Countries across the world are following the progress of negotiations, hoping to see a lasting peace in the Korean peninsula.
As you may also know, that The State of Qatar has exposed to blockade, and has successfully managed to surpass it, due to the wise leadership of His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar. And the support of the friendly countries, which provided all forms of support during the crisis, and this support would never be forgotten for these countries.
In conclusion, I would like to mention that the countdown of the World Cup 2022 tournament, which would be held in November has already started. And On behalf of all Arabs, I would like to welcome you all in this tournament, the first of its kind ever in the Middle East. Once again, thank you all for participating in this festival.

From left: Chairperson Yeo Mung-joo of Gracia Co., Ltd. and her two Lee Seong-woong (center) and Lee Young-woong (right), who work for The Korea Post.
Ambassador Al-Dehaimi of Qatar (center) poses with Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik (right) and editorialist Song Na-ra of The Korea Post.

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