On his visit to three Middle Eastern countries, Minister Song paid a courtesy call on Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani on August 27.

He delivered President Roh Moo-hyun’s letter during the meeting, Furthermore, Minister Song discussed matters of mutual interest such as the follow-up measures of President Roh’s official visit to Qatar in March this year.

They also had talks on the Koreans held hostage in Afghanistan.

‘Minister Song asked for the government of Qatar to encourage investment in Korea, and to support the Korean corporations’ active participation in Qatar’s major infrastructure projects‘ said MOFAT spokes person

Also acoording to MOFAT, he expressed hopes to promote the two nations’ substantial cooperation in areas of shipbuilding, IT, public health, education, and investment.

In return, the Qatari monarch hoped to a stronger ROK-Qatar bilateral relations develop with the increased number of direct flights between Seoul and Abu dhabi. 'The two sides agreed to hold a meeting within this year to discuss aviation related matters' MOFAT added.

Meanwhile, Minister Song expressed gratitude to the Middle Eastern countries’ efforts to secure early release of the Korean hostages held in Afghanistan, and asked for all possible cooperative measures of the Qatari government. In response, King Hamad promised to provide all necessary support for the release of the hostages.

MOFAT continued 'Minister Song had separate talks with the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassem to discuss specific measures on matters agreed between him and King Hamad'

(최근 사우디 국왕을 예방한 송 장관)

중동을 순방중인 송민순 외교부 장관은 현지시간 27일 카타르 국왕을 방문한 자리에서 노무현 대통령의 친서를 전달했다. 이어 송 장관은 올 봄 노 대통령이 카타르를 방문했을때 언급된 여러문제들이 제대로 실행되어가는지를 점검하는 한편, 아프칸 인질사태에 대해 의견을 교환했다.

특히 이 자리에서 양국간의 조선(Ship-Building), IT, 공공사업및 교육등에 대한 투자논의가 활발히 논의 되었다고 외교부는 전했다.

한편 카타르 측은 서울과 아부다비간의 직항로 증편에 대해 한국정부에 정식으로 요청했다.

아울러 카타르 정부는 아프간 인질사태와 관련, 한국 인질들의 빠른 석방을 위해 노력할 것을 약속했다고 외교부는 덧붙였다.

국제부 이명근 기자/외교통상부 出入記者

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