Duterte invites Qatar emir to Philippines

DOHA – President Duterte has invited Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the Philippines as the two leaders vowed to strengthen their ties during a bilateral meeting last Sunday.

The two leaders reviewed means to enhance their bilateral ties in all fields, especially in infrastructure, agriculture, health and education investments and labor, state-run Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

They also discussed “increasing cooperation in the fields of experience exchange and expatriate labor” and “a number of regional and international issues of common interest,” the report added.

The Presidential Communications Operations Office has not released details of the meeting as of press time.

The Qatari government hosted a luncheon banquet in honor of Duterte and his delegation where they stressed the need to expand cooperation in trade, economy and defense.

QNA said Duterte thanked the emir for the “care and kindness accorded to the Filipino community in Qatar.”

The President then invited the emir to visit the Philippines, a gesture welcomed by the Qatari leader.

“The emir expressed satisfaction over the development of bilateral ties, stressing that President Duterte’s visit to Qatar would further support and enhance relations between the two countries,” the QNA report said.