Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
10 May 2002
On the invitation of President Mbeki, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani will undertake a State Visit to South Africa from 14 to 16 May 2002.
His Highness Sheikh Al-Thani, the current Chair of the 55-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), will be the first Head of State from a Gulf Arab country to pay a State Visit to South Africa. His Highness will assume the annual rotating Chair of the six member Gulf Co-operation Council in 2003.
Sheikh Al-Thani's visit is the result of the steady development of relations between South Africa and Qatar since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1994. This visit will present the opportunity to address the further development of trade and diplomatic ties through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation between the two Foreign Ministries, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Qatar and Johannesburg. The eventual conclusion of agreements on the promotion and protection of investments and the avoidance of double taxation will further advance this process. A Bilateral Air Service Agreement and a Defence Co-operation Agreement have already been concluded between South Africa and Qatar. Qatar, which is a source of crude oil and natural gas, recently signed an agreement with SASOL to use SASOL technology to convert natural gas into liquid fuel.
The advancement of peace and sustainable development in Africa through NEPAD, regional co-operation between the Southern African Development Community and the Gulf Co-operation Council, developments in the Middle East Peace Process and the promotion of international peace and security will also be explored. South Africa's current chairing of the Non-Aligned Movement and later as a member of its Troika and Qatar's chairing of the OIC could play a significant role in advancing these issues.
For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.