Emir of Qatar begins state visit

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani THOMAS SAMSON/POOL/AFP

MANILA, Philippines — The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, arrived in Manila on Sunday for a two-day state visit at the invitation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

“The two leaders are expected to exchange views on regional issues and to discuss bilateral relations, which now cover cooperation in the areas of labor, climate change, trade and investments, energy security, education, youth and sports, among others,” the PCO said.

There are about 250,000 Filipinos in Qatar.

Bilateral relations began in 1981, the year after the 44-year-old monarch was born.

Sheik Tamim is the fourth son of Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, now 72, who abdicated in 2013, the year after he visited the Philippines in 2012. —MELVIN GASCON