Saudi Arabia, Qatar sign agreement to construct electric rail connecting Riyadh and Doha
Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed a landmark
agreement to construct a high-speed electric rail line connecting Riyadh and
Doha via Dammam and Al-Ahsa, according to a joint statement released at the
conclusion of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to the
Kingdom.
The project was hailed by both nations as a major
strategic initiative aligned with Saudi
Vision 2030 and Qatar
National Vision 2030, designed to boost tourism, enhance trade, and further
strengthen bilateral relations.
During the visit, Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Salman and Emir Sheikh Tamim held official talks at Al-Yamamah Palace in
Riyadh, where they reviewed the state of bilateral ties and explored ways to
expand cooperation across a wide range of sectors. The leaders also co-chaired
the eighth meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council, praising the
progress achieved under its framework and reaffirming the importance of
continued collaboration in areas including politics, security, defense, energy,
investment, and education.
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As part of the visit, Saudi Minister of
Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser and his Qatari counterpart signed the
rail agreement during the Coordination Council proceedings.
The two sides reiterated their commitment to
strengthening their defense partnership, supporting regional and global
security, and enhancing cooperation in border protection, cyber defense,
counterterrorism, drug control, information sharing, and joint training
programs.
Riyadh and Doha also agreed to broaden
collaboration in fields such as the digital economy, innovation, industry and
mining, youth and sports, culture, education and academic exchanges, media
production, content reliability, cybersecurity, and healthcare.
The joint statement highlighted robust
economic ties, noting that bilateral trade reached $930.3 million in 2024,
marking a 634% increase compared with 2021. Both sides stressed the need to
continue expanding trade, removing barriers, and developing new opportunities
in sectors prioritized by their respective national visions.
Enhanced investment cooperation, greater
exchanges between government and private-sector leaders, and the organization
of joint business forums were also welcomed.
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On energy, the two nations underlined the
importance of global market stability, secure supply chains, and expanded
cooperation in electricity, renewable energy, efficiency, and joint project
development. They agreed to coordinate climate-related policies
internationally, emphasizing a focus on reducing emissions rather than
restricting energy sources.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar also applauded the
signing of multiple agreements and memorandums of understanding during the
visit, covering rail transport, investment promotion, food security, media
cooperation, and the nonprofit sector.
On
global issues, both countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to supporting
peace and security worldwide and exchanged views on key regional and
international developments. The Saudi side additionally welcomed Qatar’s
ratification of the World Water Organization charter, aimed at unifying global
efforts to address global water challenges.
Source: Saudi Gazette
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