By Merve Aydogan
HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - Canada and Qatar marked 50 years of diplomatic relations during the first official visit of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the country.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and senior officials including Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly welcomed the Emir in the capital, Ottawa, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
"The visit was an opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of strong diplomatic relations between Canada and Qatar," said the statement, adding that cooperation in artificial intelligence, clean energy, critical minerals and agribusiness were highlighted.
The two countries pledged to also strengthen trade, investment and development ties as they signed "a framework for cooperation that includes the co-funding of development projects in the education sector."
The signed agreement is a $40 million co-funding project between Global Affairs Canada and Qatar's Education Above All Foundation to support marginalized communities through UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited.
"Canada and Qatar also committed to working together to address global issues of mutual concern, including the urgent need for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the safe distribution of humanitarian aid to civilians," the statement said, adding that the two countries will work together in "providing treatment and psychological support to Gazans evacuated to Qatar" as part of the Qatari Emir's initiative to treat 1,500 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.