The participation of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in the second Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit, in Malaysia today will open new avenues of cooperation between Qatar and ASEAN states.
The participation of Qatar at the highest level shows importance Qatar places on strengthening connectivity between the GCC, ASEAN countries, and China across various fields.
Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Malaysia H E Salah bin Mohammed Al Sorour has affirmed that the visit of H H the Amir to Malaysia reflects the depth of fraternal relations between the two countries, and enhances strategic cooperation in the fields of economy, investment and education.
He noted that HH the Amir’s visit will focus on enhancing political coordination and the exchange of strategic visions, paving the way for broader future cooperation between the two countries across various sectors.
The State of Qatar joined the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) of ASEAN during the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in August 2022. Since then, Qatar’s relationship with ASEAN countries has gained renewed momentum.
ASEAN is a political and economic organization established on August 8, 1967, and includes 10 member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. The Association’s core goal is to promote a number of principles that enhance peace and cooperation among nations, including mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all member states.
Qatar is a major investor in ASEAN countries, with investments diversified across the energy, financial, real estate, telecommunications, agribusiness, hospitality, and medical sectors. Prominent Qatari companies such as Ooredoo, Nebras Power, and QNB Group have established branches in Indonesia, and Qatari investors are considering expanding their investment portfolios in southeast Asia, including the Philippines. Ambassador of Malaysia to the State of Qatar H E Mohammad Faizal Razali said that the participation of H H the Amir in the 1st ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit will reveal new horizons for solid cooperation that will benefit both countries and enhance stability in the region and beyond.
He said that HH the Amir’s visit to Malaysia, coinciding with the Summit, will further strengthen the enduring ties between the two regions, and foster deeper cooperation in areas of mutual interest. He emphasized that Malaysia-Qatar relations are in a phase of strategic collaboration, with a strong focus on economic diplomacy.
