HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met Tuesday with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense of Australia Richard Marles.

During the meeting, they discussed co-operation relations and ways to support and enhance them at the defense level between the two countries.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense of Australia voiced his country's appreciation for Qatar's support for regional and international efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in the Middle East.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met Tuesday with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Penny Wong.

The meeting discussed bilateral co-operation relations and ways to support and develop them in the fields of economy, trade exchange, clean energy and technology.

Moreover, it discussed a number of regional and international issues, especially developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories and ways to reduce tension in the Middle East region in such a way as to enhance regional and international security and stability, along with discussing the latest developments in Afghanistan.

During the meeting, the Australian Foreign Minister expressed her country's support for the joint efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. She also commended Qatar's efforts in repatriating Australian citizens stranded during the Covid-19 Pandemic via Qatar Airways, in addition to its role in evacuating Australians from Afghanistan and the Gaza Strip.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani started Tuesday a tour of Australia and New Zealand, Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari said.

Dr al-Ansari said that HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs will hold extensive talks with leaders and senior officials in both countries, aimed at bolstering and elevating the relations to broader horizons of cooperation and partnership, mainly in economy, energy, investment and trade. The talks will also touch on regional and international issues of common concern.

HE Sheikh Mohammed's tour adds to his previous visits of a number of countries in the region in light of Qatar's openness to various continents, stemming from its foreign policy based on strengthening common interests, promoting international co-operation, and contributing to consolidating peace, security and stability at the regional and global levels, the official spokesperson said.