Iran’s minister in Qatar to discuss transport ties ahead of World Cup

A senior Iranian government minister has travelled to Qatar to discuss increased transport ties with the Arab country just ahead of the World Cup 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development (MRUD) Rostam Ghassemi arrived in the Qatari capital Doha early on Thursday to hold meetings with senior government officials, said the MRUD in a report.

The report said Ghassemi will discuss initiatives between Iran and Qatar to better handle civil aviation and maritime transport issues during the one-month World Cup event that starts in Qatar on November 21.

It said talks will also focus on preparations for the presence of Iranian fans in Qatar during the tournament, including match ticket quotas that will be assigned to the Iranians.

Senior transport ministry officials as well as representatives from Iran’s ministries of sports and tourism are accompanying Ghassemi in his visit to Qatar, added the report.

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Qatar’s official QNA news agency said in a report that Ghassemi had met Qatar’s Minister of Transport Jassim bin Said Al Sulaiti on Thursday.

The report said the two officials discussed efforts to boost bilateral cooperation between Iran and Qatar in the fields of transport, marine navigation, commercial ports, air transport, and civil aviation.

Iran and Qatar have expanded their economic and trade ties in recent years, especially since a political dispute erupted between Qatar and several Arab countries in the region in August 2019.

The two countries, which share the ownership of the world’s largest gas reserve in the Persian Gulf, have deepened their warm ties even after the regional dispute was resolved early this year and in the run-up to the World Cup tournament.

Iran has vowed to provide logistical support to Qatar to help the small country better prepare for the prestigious international event.

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