The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, is expected to visit Malta next week, reciprocating a visit made to Qatar by President George Abela in 2009.

The visit comes a few weeks after Finance Minister Tonio Fenech had talks in Qatar with Qatari Minister of Energy and Industry Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada. The talks are reported to have focused on Malta buying oil and gas at favourable rates.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Foreign Minister Tonio Borg met the Emir during a Gulf tour last year. The two countries had signed agreements on the avoidance of double taxation and cooperation in  health, culture and combating organised crime.

The Emir in 2010 donated €70,282 to the Malta Community Chest Fund, the first direct donation to the Fund by a foreign head of state.

Qatar got a dose of Maltese talent last Saturday when tenor Joseph Calleja performed in Doha with Nataliya Kovalova and the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, led by conductor Gareth Jones.

Sheikh Hamad is to visit Malta on Tuesday and Wednesday. His delegation is expected to include representatives of the Qatari government and military officials who will have talks with the AFM - the two armed forces having collaborated in humanitarian missions during the Libyan crisis.

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