Doha: Within the framework of the policy of openness, cooperation and friendship pursued by the State of Qatar with various brotherly and friendly countries and people, as well as its keenness to push its foreign relations to new horizons in various fields, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani begins his European tour with a visit to the Kingdom of Sweden, out of several Scandinavian countries. During the visit, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will meet with HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of the Kingdom of Sweden and HE Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden Ulf Kristersson, to discuss developing and strengthening relations between the two countries in various fields in a manner that serves the mutual interests and aspirations of the two countries and peoples. The discussions will also include several international issues and topics of mutual interest. The visit of HH the Amir to the Kingdom of Sweden is expected to contribute to developing relations between the two countries as well as opening new horizons for cooperation between them in may sectors, in a way that serves the interests and aspirations of the two countries and their friendly peoples. The two countries have had good relations with steady growth in various fields since the establishment of diplomatic relations between them. The first Qatari ambassador presented his credentials to the Kingdom of Sweden as a non-resident ambassador in 2011, while the Qatari embassy in Stockholm was inaugurated in December 2014. Relations between Doha and Stockholm have been strengthened in various fields as a result of mutual visits and agreements signed between the two countries, which include, among other things, UN activities and humanitarian aspects. In 2019, the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Sweden signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to hold political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries. Represented by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, the State of Qatar signed an MoU for cooperation and exchange of expertise in several work areas with both the Kingdom of Sweden and the International Labor Organization (ILO), to enhance cooperation in the areas of occupational health and safety at work, as well as corporate social responsibility through institutional cooperation and exchange of expertise. In the educational sector, there is a cooperation agreement between Qatar University (QU) and Lund University in Sweden to cooperate in joint research projects, exchange of academic materials, joint conferences, seminars and workshops, and student exchange. There are regular political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries, and the third round of these consultations was held in Stockholm in February 2024, during which the Qatari side was led by HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, while the Swedish side was led by HE State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jan Knutsson. The political consultation addressed bilate ral cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen and support them. In previous political consultations, several international issues were discussed, as well as support for the United Nations and mediation efforts in many issues around the globe. There is coordination between the two countries in international forums considering that they share visions on the idea of assuming responsibility in global crises. Within the context of mutual visits, HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater visited Sweden upon the invitation of HE State Secretary for International Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Sweden Diana Janse. The visit included meetings with several senior Swedish officials, during which the two sides discussed ways of cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of development as well as joint efforts in the areas of security, peace and humanitarian aid, and ways to enhance coope ration between relevant Qatari institutions and the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. Source: Qatar News Agency