Kinshasa, November 21 (QNA) - HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo was of special importance to bilateral relations, Qatar's acting charge d'affaires in Kinshasa Shafi bin Newaimi Al Hajri has said.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Hajri hailed the trip - His Highness’s first to DRC Congo - as highly significant, noting that it reflects both sides' shared ambition to elevate bilateral ties.

Diplomatic relations have expanded in recent years, he said, pointing to the opening of a Congolese embassy in Doha in 2022 and Qatar's inauguration of its mission in Kinshasa in May 2025.

Al Hajri highlighted the State of Qatar's mediation efforts aimed at stabilizing eastern DR Congo, saying they played a key role in strengthening dialogue between the two governments. Doha has hosted talks involving Congolese authorities and the Congo River Alliance (M23) to establish peace and security, which culminated in the signing of the Doha Framework Agreement for Peace.

He noted that eastern DR Congo has been mired in conflict for decades, with previous peace initiatives failing to take hold. He added that the State of Qatar's leading mediation role, carried out in coordination with the US, helped bridge gaps between the two countries.

The diplomat added that progress in the peace process could bolster security and economic stability not only in eastern Congo but across the wider Great Lakes region.

Beyond mediation, the two countries are exploring broader cooperation in economic, cultural, sports and educational sectors. Al Hajri stressed that both sides possess significant potential for deeper bilateral and multilateral engagement.

He concluded by underlining the political and economic weight of the DR Congo. He highlighted its status as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, its influential role in the African Union, and its vast natural resources and strategic location. (QNA)