Cairo: HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar in Cairo Tariq Ali Faraj Al-Ansari stated that HE President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's visit to Doha enhances bilateral strategic relations to broader horizons.
According to Qatar News Agency, this visit follows HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's visit to Egypt in June 2022 and HE President El-Sisi's visits to Doha in September 2022 and November 2022, where he attended the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 opening ceremony. These visits reinforced bilateral relations, extending cooperation to various political and economic issues.
HE Al-Ansari emphasized that HE El-Sisi's third visit to Doha comes at a crucial time for the Middle East and the Arab world. The Doha-Cairo relations are growing across political, economic, and cultural fields. The visit coincides with evolving regional events, particularly the Palestinian issue, prompting further coordination and consultation.
HE the Ambassador noted that both countries are addressing regional and global challenges responsibly. The visit provides momentum to Egypt and Qatar's efforts, under prudent leadership, to halt Israeli aggression, consolidate the Gaza Strip ceasefire, and allow humanitarian aid entry.
He highlighted the continuation of joint mediation efforts with the United States, with both countries sharing unified stances on Arab, regional, and international issues. The visit also serves as an opportunity for consultations on Gaza reconstruction and the Cairo Conference for Early Recovery and Reconstruction, ensuring the continued presence of Palestinians on their lands.
HE Al-Ansari affirmed that HE El-Sisi's visit culminates progress made in the 5th session of the Qatar-Egypt Supreme Committee in 2024, advancing political coordination and economic cooperation prospects. He noted significant developments in Qatari-Egyptian relations, particularly in investment.
On the economic front, HE the Ambassador highlighted exchanged visits to expand investments. In February 2025, HE Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Lt. Gen. Kamel Al Wazir visited Doha for talks with Qatar Chamber Chairman and Egyptian Industries Federation Chairman. This followed a January 2025 visit by HE Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Thani to Cairo.
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani's visit to Egypt in November 2024 also garnered attention, particularly on economic and investment levels. During the visit, he met with HE President El-Sisi and HE Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly.
HE Al-Ansari reported a 38 percent increase in trade exchange between Qatar and Egypt in 2024, reaching approximately QR 746 million compared to QR 540 million in 2023.
Cultural cooperation is developing, with Doha hosting the Egyptian Cultural Week in January 2025 and Qatar announced as the guest of honor at the Cairo International Book Fair 2027. Efforts are ongoing to hold a Qatari Cultural Week in Cairo, alongside numerous upcoming cultural and artistic events.
The Egyptian community in Qatar, estimated at 200,000 people in 2024, bolsters these cultural and social ties, contributing to the Qatari economy and the Qatar National Vision 2030, alongside their Qatari counterparts, HE the Ambassador noted.
HE Al-Ansari praised community initiatives by the Qatari embassy in Cairo, aligning with Qatar's policy of supporting sustainable development and international cooperation. These initiatives include health, education, and economic empowerment projects in Egypt, coordinated with the Egyptian government to achieve integrated, peaceful, and stable societies.
HE the Ambassador stated that these initiatives reflect Qatar's foreign support philosophy, rooted in shared Arab culture, focusing on social development by supporting vulnerable segments of society. This includes efforts to eradicate poverty and instill hope for a better future.
Concluding statements to QNA, HE Al-Ansari stressed that Egypt and Qatar enjoy strong historic relations rooted in interdependence, cohesion, and solidarity at leadership, official, and popular levels.