SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

The Autocrat's Visit to the Riksdag – Wants to Enter into Agreements

The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is visiting Sweden for the first time. The Sheikh owns a mega yacht worth three billion kronor, has an interest in falconry and now wants to conclude an agreement with the Swedish government.

» Updated: 07 October 2024, 13:11

» Published: 03 September 2024

The Autocrat's Visit to the Riksdag – Wants to Enter into Agreements
Photo: Aurelien Morissard/AP/TT

The Emir landed as early as Monday and will travel to both Norway and Finland in the coming days.

He arrived in the company of several Qatari ministers and is scheduled to enter into agreements with the Swedish government in areas such as green transition, transportation, and healthcare.

The now 44-year-old Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani became Emir at a young age. In 2013, he took over the oil- and gas-rich country after his father Hamad bin Khalifa and became the world's youngest reigning monarch.

He holds all decision-making and legislative power in a country that lacks a democratic system.

Royal Dinners

On Monday evening, he had dinner at Sagerska House in Stockholm together with, among others, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), Crown Princess Victoria, and Speaker Andreas Norlén. Representatives from the business community, including from the defense conglomerate Saab, were also present. Sweden has several large companies operating in Qatar, such as ABB, Ericsson, H&M, and Ikea.

Bin Hamad Al Thani is no ordinary head of state. He owns, through the state of Qatar, one of the world's largest mega-yachts, Al Lusail, built for over 300 million dollars. He has an interest in falconry (hunting with falcons) and has tried to profile himself in sports issues. The Sheikh gave the term "sportswashing" a face when Qatar hosted the 2022 World Championship. Many will surely remember the images of when he dressed football star Lionel Messi in the traditional black robe bisht after the World Championship final, after which Messi lifted the trophy.

Criticizing the Visit

On Tuesday, the meetings will continue at a rapid pace. Discussions on trade relations will be held at Rosenbad, and then the Emir will meet with both the Speaker of the Riksdag and have lunch with the King at the Palace.

Qatar is also interested in discussing the electrification of transportation, as they want to become less dependent on oil production as the world transitions.

According to the Government Offices, the talks will also cover Russia's war in Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas, where Qatar has a role as mediator.

The Left Party's foreign policy spokesperson, Håkan Svenneling, thinks it is important to have a discussion with Qatar given the country's role in the Middle East – but he questions the visit.

It is surprising that the government is opening the door so clearly to Qatar's Emir. One wonders how much the issue of human rights will be raised and in what way, says Svenneling.

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was born in 1980 in Qatar as Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani's fourth son.

Tamim was educated in the United Kingdom and has been Qatar's Emir since 2013, when his father abdicated. At the time of his accession, Tamim was 33 years old.

As Emir, he is the absolute ruler of the country, and Tamim leads several of the country's important institutions and authorities. He has, through sports, tried to put the country on the map through the company Oryx Qatar Sports Investments. He is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Tamim has good relations with several of the world's most powerful countries. He has supported the Western world's condemnation of Russia's war in Ukraine, but still chose to meet with Russian leader Putin six months after the invasion. He has also developed the country's relations with China.

Sheikh Tamim has three wives and a total of 13 children.

Source: NE, BBC, etc.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Suspected sabotaged cable to be repaired
1 MIN READ

Suspected sabotaged cable to be repaired

Police evict demonstrators in Gothenburg
1 MIN READ

Police evict demonstrators in Gothenburg

Swedish police are no longer allowed to enter Norway
1 MIN READ

Swedish police are no longer allowed to enter Norway

A prick in the finger can reveal Alzheimer's
2 MIN READ

A prick in the finger can reveal Alzheimer's

The Snow Chaos Continues – SMHI Warns
2 MIN READ

The Snow Chaos Continues – SMHI Warns

No Longer Rich and Famous Targets for Kidnappers
3 MIN READ

No Longer Rich and Famous Targets for Kidnappers

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly
2 MIN READ

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"
3 MIN READ

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note
1 MIN READ

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice
1 MIN READ

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice

The Liberals' office attacked: "Abhorrent"
2 MIN READ

The Liberals' office attacked: "Abhorrent"

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö
1 MIN READ

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"
1 MIN READ

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms
1 MIN READ

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant
1 MIN READ

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"
1 MIN READ

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable
1 MIN READ

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.
3 MIN READ

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship
1 MIN READ

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children
1 MIN READ

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children