Bali News

Qatar government is committed to increase cooperation in tourism to deliver more of Qatar citizen to spend their holiday in Indonesia. The commitment was expressed by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani in a bilateral meeting with Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at Merdeka Palace on Tuesday (May 19th).

People in Qatar is very curious about Indonesia. Qatar’s Emir promised to put more pressure on tourism cooperation to motivate more Qatar citizens to visit Indonesia, the presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal briefed the press after the meeting.

Dino further explained that Emir’s commitment was made in response to President Yudhoyono’s request for more tourist visits from Qatar. Emir said that his children often asked about Indonesia as they listened good things about the country, especially as Indonesia is the world’s largest moslem country.

In addition to promoting tourism, President Yodhoyono also offered aircraft CN235 produced by PT Dirgantara Indonesia, to which the Emir immediately ordered member of his delegates to take up further. “When President Yodhoyono mentioned about Indonesian-made aircracft CN235, Emir spontaneously made an order”, Dino said.

Qatar and Indonesia are having very good relationship in international forum. Whilst Qatar has rather small population, Indonesia considers Qatar as a country with very active role in response to international conflicts. Qatar activity in mediating role in Gaza negotiation in Palestine, mediating Lebanese conflicts, and mediating conflicts among different factions in Sudan are a number of proof of Qatar’s significant role in responding to international conflicts.

Finally Dino said the two leaders agreed to increase diplomatic cooperation in international forum as well as cooperation in trade and investment, including to facilitate private sectors of the two countries.