Emir of Qatar to visit Germany (Roundup)

Apr 16, 2010, 15:31 GMT

Berlin - The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al- Thani, is to visit German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin next week, a German government spokesman said on Friday.

The leaders are to discuss economic relations as well as the Middle East peace process, Iran's nuclear ambitions and the situation in Afghanistan, the Qatari embassy said.

During his three-day trip, the emir is also due to visit Europe's biggest carmaker Volkswagen in Wolfsburg. Qatar Holding LLC is one of VW's leading shareholders and is the emirate's biggest single investment.

Sheikh Hamad arrives in Berlin on Sunday. His first official engagement is with German President Horst Koehler the following day, before taking a symbolic walk through the Brandenburg Gate with Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit.

He also has meetings scheduled with senior government members, including Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and Economics Minister Rainer Bruederle.

The emir will be accompanied by his wife, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, who chairs the Qatar Foundation. She is due to attend the signing of a joint renewable energy research programme with Germany's Fraunhofer Institute.

Sheikh Hamad last visited Germany's old capital, Bonn, in 1999.

The Qatari embassy in Berlin said there were plans for Merkel to visit the Gulf state in May, although German government officials did not immediately confirm this.