Doha, Qatar: The embassies of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras in Qatar reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Qatar, with a focus on expanding trade and investment, tourism, food security, energy, infrastructure, education and other areas.
The commitment was highlighted during a reception in Doha marking the 205th anniversary of the independence of Central American nations, bringing together Qatari officials, members of the diplomatic community and guests on Sunday at The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl.
Minister of Municipality H E Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, Director of the Protocol Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Ibrahim bin Yousif Abdullah Fakhro, Director of the American Affairs Department Jassim bin Mohammed Hassan
Al-Asmakh, Ambassador of Guatemala to Qatar H E Carlos Humberto Jiménez Licona, Chargé d’Affaires of Honduras Sophia Escobar Lanza, Chargé d’Affaires of Costa Rica Marcelo Roldán Sauma and Chargé d’Affaires of El Salvador Humberto Solórzano attended the reception.
The guests observed a minute of silence in honour of the late Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and late H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Licona said the anniversary was “much more than the commemoration of a historical event,” describing it as an opportunity to celebrate the bonds uniting the peoples of Central America and Qatar and reaffirm their friendship.
He highlighted the common values shared by the four Central American countries and Qatar, including family, community, hospitality, national identity and respect for traditions.
“These common values provide a natural foundation for mutual understanding and cooperation,” he said.
Ambassador Licona said the warmth and generosity of the Qatari people had enabled many Central Americans living in Qatar to feel at home while sharing their own cultures and traditions with Qatari society.
“These human and cultural ties constitute one of the strongest foundations upon which we can continue building our relations,” he said.
Turning to relations at the governmental level, he said cooperation between Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Qatar had continued to grow steadily, with diplomatic missions in Doha reflecting the importance attached to developing closer and more substantive ties.
“Today, our cooperation extends to a growing number of areas, including political and diplomatic affairs, trade and investment, tourism, education, culture, agriculture, infrastructure, energy and other sectors of common interest,” Ambassador Licona said.
He added that the four countries were also working with Qatar on negotiating various bilateral and cooperation agreements aimed at expanding areas of cooperation, strengthening institutional frameworks and deepening friendship between the nations.
“These efforts reflect our shared conviction that diplomatic relations should continue to evolve toward practical partnerships that generate concrete opportunities and benefits for our peoples,” he said.
Licona also praised Qatar’s growing role in regional and international diplomacy, particularly its mediation efforts. He stressed that diplomacy, dialogue and respect for international law remained essential to preventing conflict and building a more peaceful and secure international order.
The ambassador also expressed appreciation for Qatar’s handling of internal security during the recent period of regional escalation.
Looking ahead, Licona said there was “tremendous potential” for the future of relations between Central America and Qatar.
He identified expanding trade and investment, increasing tourism, promoting business partnerships and strengthening cooperation in food security, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, education, science and technology as key areas of opportunity.
Ambassador Licona also highlighted education and culture as important dimensions of the relationship, pointing to opportunities for greater academic cooperation, student exchanges, joint research and institutional partnerships. He recognised the contribution of Central American communities living in Qatar, describing them as an important “human bridge” between the two regions.
