The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Hamad bin Khalifa has donated €70,282 to the Malta Community Chest Fund in what President George Abela said was the first direct donation to the Fund by a foreign state.
The presentation was made by the Ambassador of Qatar, Saad Nasser Al-Homidi, and follows a state visit by Dr Abela to Qatar last August, during which he had spoken to the Emir about the fund.
During this morning's ceremony the President invited the Emir to visit Malta.
Dr Abela said the his visit had helped to improve trade relations and was now also serving to help the needy in Malta.
"The relationsip between countries is not based solely on economic and political issues, but actual relations between the people", Dr Abela said.