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.
