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Al Thani visit – Malta seeking Qatari energy investment, Doha embassy
Discussion with Qatari emir touches on investment in the energy sector.
17 April 2012, 12:00am
Karl Stagno-Navarra
Karl Stagno-Navarra
1 min read
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi welcomes Qatari emir Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Malta will open an embassy in Doha, Qatar, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced today after a meeting with the Qatari emir Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Without giving out any more detail, Gonzi said after the meeting that amongst the topics of discussion was Qatari investment in the energy sector. "It will be investment that benefits Maltese families and factories that generate jobs," Gonzi said.
The government is currently engaged in a promotional exercise of its legislature's achivements during the past four years in the generation of jobs.
Gonzi was accompanied by deputy PM Tonio Borg, finance minister Tonio Fenech, education minister Dolores Cristina and health minister Joe Cassar.
Earlier today Borg said Malta was seeking stronger relations with the Gulf State, with six agreements yet to be signed with Qatar on collaboration in trade and scientific fields amongst others.
Finance minister Tonio Fenech has also initiated talks with Qatar in a bid to secure purchasing oil and gas at competitive but advantageous rates, in the wake of increasing oil prices.
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About time! Wara li faqqartuna bil-kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma, gass u petrol.
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is the Emir democraticaly elected?or like gaddafi
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The only tangible evidence that will remain of the Sheikh's visit (he's always welcome, by the way, for Qatar is a formidable country) is the opening of embassies in Malta and Doha. An embassy in the gulf states, apart from that in Saudi Arabia, is always commendable, and I would have thought that this government should have opened one in Dubai eight years ago in view of SmartCity. However, the Sheikh's visit came in the immediate aftermath of his other visit to Italy where he invested heavily in the beautiful Costa Smeralda in Sardinia. I cannot imagine, therefore, in what he can invest in Malta, though i hope he does so. Signing a lot of agreements that remain dormant and impossible to implement is not enough - these are just food for the more gullible segment of the electorate.
Anette B Cassar •
h yes! The money that was lying spare since the minster of health did not have a need for it can go into setting up this embassy.
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How come a PN prime minister welcomes an arab leader? Usually this used to be a MORTAL SIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just a bunch of hypocrits!
Luke Camilleri •
So it's gas now Dr. Gonzi not heavy fuel oil?
What brought about this U-turn, taking up what Dr. Joseph Muscat has been saying all along?
What about the millions going down the drain , commissions included (€4 millions worth) that have gone down the drain for a Power Station was to be powered by heavy fuel oil... and YOU Dr. Gonzi and your SMART Ministers defended and upheld these decisions????
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Since Qatar is oil producing country and is pro-western, the Maltese government does not give a whoop of Human Rights in Qatar...
http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/countries/middle-east-and-north-africa/qatar
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The PM says that Malta will open an Embassy in Doha, the Deputy Prime Minister is reported as having said that Malta will open an Embassy in Kuwait. Very commendable indeed.
What is questionable is the sustainability of all these Embassies overseas. What is the purpose of such missions unless our ambassadors are given the necessary tools and funding to work with.
How can you expect our Ambassadors to entertain as part of their diplomatic functions with a hospitality vote of One thousand euros only.
