On January 13 Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Kostyantyn Gryshchenko met with Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani in Doha, the capital of the State of Qatar.

The parties discussed ways to step up the political dialogue including at the topmost bilateral level. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine passed the letter-invitation by President Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine to Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to come to Ukraine on an official visit.

With a view of developing the treaty-legal basis between the countries the parties agreed to speed up signing a series of bilateral documents, in particular agreements on prevention of double taxation, promotion and mutual protection of investments, air communication, as well as on cooperation in education and sciences. The parties especially focused on discussing the issue of visa regime liberalization between the countries.

During the meeting K.I.Gryshchenko stressed on the need to facilitate trade and economic as well as investment cooperation between the countries. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine invited Qatar business representatives to enter the Ukrainian market and use the favourable opportunities to invest into the most attractive economic spheres.

The Prime Minister of Qatar confirmed the interestedness of the Qatar side in cooperation with Ukraine first of all in the spheres of energy, agriculture, telecommunications and high-tech areas.

K.I.Gryshchenko congratulated the Prime Minister of Qatar on winning the Qatar bid to host the World Football Cup in 2022 and proposed cooperation with Ukraine in holding Euro-2012.