Belarus, Qatar pledge to boost tourism, investment cooperation

Belarus and Qatar have agreed to strengthen cooperation in tourism and investment, following a meeting between Belarusian officials and Qatar’s chargé d’affaires in Minsk, Hamoud Saleh Al-Saadi, the Belarusian news agency reported.

Sergei Aleinik, Chair of the Council of the Republic’s Standing Committee on International Affairs and National Security, described January 16 as a “symbolic date” in the history of bilateral relations, marking 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1996.

“Over the past three decades, we have built genuinely friendly, trusting relations based on mutual respect,” Aleinik said. “Presidents and leaders of our countries have undertaken reciprocal official visits, and cooperation has been developed at the governmental and ministerial levels. A joint committee on bilateral cooperation has also been established.”

During the meeting, officials discussed holding the next session of the joint committee, which will review a roadmap for cooperation. The plan is expected to cover trade and economic collaboration, investment, social and humanitarian projects, and tourism development. Aleinik expressed hope that the document would soon be finalised and signed, providing a new impetus for bilateral relations.

The meeting also touched on parliamentary cooperation. Aleinik confirmed that Belarus has invited the Speaker of Qatar’s legislative body for an official visit later this year, and that engagement between parliamentary committees will continue to support intergovernmental initiatives.

Qatar’s chargé d’affaires highlighted tourism as a priority, praising Belarus’s progress, safety, and human development, and pledged to support initiatives to expand tourism links between the two countries.

Aleinik added that both sides had discussed collaboration in international organisations and shared a commitment to resolving global conflicts through political and diplomatic means.

Over the past 30 years, Belarus and Qatar have signed 15 intergovernmental agreements covering a range of sectors, with further documents under negotiation, including in youth policy, standardisation, legal assistance, and international road transport.

By Aghakazim Guliyev