On the picture Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders and Princess Astrid of Belgium .
By Baron Henri Estramant.
A Belgian economic mission with 400 business people was carried out by HI&RH Princess Astrid of Belgium accompanied by Belgium’s Vice-premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Didier Reynders.
Princess Astrid and FM Reynders arrived in the State of Qatar from the UAE, and were welcomed upon their arrival on 22 March 2015 by His Highness The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad to discuss bilateral issues as well as the ongoing crises in Syria, Iraq and the threat of the Islamic State at the premises of the Amiri Diwan (Princely Court). The audience was followed by a tête-à-tête with the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani; the rendezvous focused on trade and security matters.
Their schedule brought them thereafter to the headquarters of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development where they were expected by the Chair Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser bin Abdullah Al Missned to conduct discussions on cooperation in the field of health and education. Princess Astrid has distinguished herself as a paladin in the fight against malaria worldwide.
FM Reynders also met with the Governor Qatar’s Central Bank, and invited the Qatari government to reciprocate the mission in Belgium.
Albeit HM The King of the Belgians remains “Honorary Chairman of the Board of the Foreign Trade Agency”, he does not longer lead Belgian economic missions, au lieu his sister Astrid has been asked to represent him on an ad hoc basis.
The visit to Doha was arranged by the Qatari embassy in Brussels headed by HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim bin Thani Al Thani and his diplomats Saud Al Binali and Hassan Al Hammadi.
For more information
Qatari embassy in Brussels (responsible for the EU, Belgium & Luxembourg): www.qatarembassy.be
