His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at the Amiri Diwan on Monday with President of the Republic of Benin Patrice Talon.The two sides discussed areas of cooperation and ways to promote and expand them across various fields, as well as key regional and international developments of mutual concern.The meeting was attended by HE Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Khulaifi, HE Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani al-Thani, and HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al- Khulaifi.From the Benin side, the meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Minister of Economy and Finance Romuald Wadagni, and senior officials from the delegation accompanying the president.Earlier, His Highness the Amir and President Talon held a bilateral meeting during which they exchanged views and opinions on a number of issues of joint interest.Qatar and the Republic of Benin issued a joint statement on the occasion of President Talon's working visit to Doha.Following is the text of the statement: "At the invitation of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Republic of Benin Patrice Talon paid a working visit to Qatar on May 19, 2025."The visit marked an important milestone in strengthening the historical friendship and cooperation between Qatar and Benin. The discussions between HH the Amir and the president reflected a convergence of views on key regional and international issues, particularly the promotion of peace, stability, and sustainable development."Qatar commended the extensive economic and social reforms launched by the Benin government since 2016, which have laid the foundations for inclusive growth and institutional modernization."For its part, the Republic of Benin commended the active role played by Qatar on the international stage, particularly in Africa, and noted its efforts to support peace and stability and build sustainable development partnerships on the continent.The two sides expressed interest in enhancing cooperation in the aviation sector, including the possibility of cooperation between the two national carriers, Qatar Airways and Amazon Airlines, in addition to exploring the establishment of a direct flight between the two countries. This step would contribute to enhancing Benin's economic attractiveness, attracting investments, stimulating tourism, freight transport, and cultural exchange.Qatar affirmed its full commitment to the development of the African continent. In this context, it reiterated its readiness to support initiatives in the areas of infrastructure, education, and health, in line with its international development agenda and the priorities of its partners in Africa.The two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in the cultural field, including organizing exhibitions and cooperation between cultural institutions and museums, in order to expand the horizons of cultural diplomacy between them.Qatar and Benin reiterated their joint commitment to intensifying bilateral consultations, coordinating positions in multilateral forums, and promoting a shared vision for an international order based on sovereignty, inclusiveness, and prosperity."