President Paudel, Qatari Emir Al Thani hold meeting

KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a meeting at the President’s Office in Sheetal Niwas on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the duo discussed issues of mutual interest, the President Office informed.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet among others were present in the meeting.

The Qatari Emir had gone to the Sheetal Niwas directly from the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Earlier, Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha had welcomed him at the airport.

The President is scheduled to host a state banquet in honor of the Emir.

Similarly, the distinguished guest from Qatar will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday.

Following the talks, both leaders will witness the signing ceremony of bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding, the Foreign Ministry added.

The Qatari Emir is scheduled to depart from Kathmandu on April 24.