(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Moldova looks forward to strengthening its "mutually beneficial" bilateral relations with Qatar in the coming years, the east European country's ambassador to Qatar, Valeriu Tihonov, has stressed.
Speaking to Gulf Times on the growing relations between the two countries, Tihonov said Moldova was keen to work more closely with Qatar in various fields, such as agriculture and small and medium industries, including food processing, making use of its professionals' extensive experience and expertise in such fields.
He stressed that Qatar is the first Arab country to open an embassy in Moldova. "Also, our embassy in Qatar is the first mission of Moldova in the Arab region," he added.
Tihonov, an expert in international relations, has been Moldova's ambassador in Doha since his country opened its first embassy of the Arab region in Qatar two years ago.
"We are looking forward to signing as many as eight new bilateral agreements with Qatar during the forthcoming high-level visit of our Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Natalia Gherman," the envoy said, while informing that the Moldovan leader, who specialises in criminology, would also attend the opening session of the UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, to be held in Doha from April 12 to 19.
A delegation comprising three other ministers and senior officials from Moldova is expected to be part of the visit, it is understood.
On opportunities in the agricultural sector, Tihonov said: "Moldova has proved to the world that it could provide effective solutions to meet the agricultural needs and requirements of Qatar through affordable, practical and workable expertise."
The envoy stressed that "biological and chemical-free" solutions that Moldova has developed in agriculture over the years could help turn Qatar's arid plots into fertile areas. Qatar has less than 1% of its total area under agricultural use and Moldovan expertise in farming could be beneficial to the country in turning a considerable share of its barren land into agricultural holdings, said the ambassador.
Tihonov also pointed out that the wines Moldova produces using its facilities and resources are considered to be among the world's best and US astronauts have regarded them as most suitable for their health while staying in outer space. "Scientific studies have proved that Negru de Purcari wines from Moldova help cosmonauts and astronauts offset radiation during their stints in outer space," he said, deliberating on the superior quality of grapes and apples from Moldova.
While informing that the Moldovan population in Qatar is only about 100 at present, the ambassador said he was hopeful that this country would provide more opportunities for its youngsters in aviation, hospitality, medical and paramedical fields in the coming years. Tihonov said Qatar Airways, which is already employing some Moldovan personnel at different levels, has shown interest in training and recruiting young professionals from his country.
"A major local hospital has also evinced interest in employing nurses from Moldova in the coming days," said Tihonov, adding that doctors from his country are already working at Hamad Medical Corporation.
Similarly, a well-known hotel has expressed a desire to have Moldovan professionals for its operations, it is understood. The ambassador said Moldova expects its hospitality professionals to be paid a minimum salary of ‚¬1,000 to start with, besides good accommodation and transport facilities.
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