Qatar and South Africa signed  several agreements following official talks held between HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and South African President  Jacob Zuma at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. 
The talks were attended by Qatari ministers and the members of the official delegation accompanying the South African president. 
During the talks, the two sides discussed ways to advance and enhance ties of co-operation between Qatar and South Africa in various fields, especially trade, economic and investment spheres. 
They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern, particularly the latest developments in Palestine, where the two sides affirmed their position in support of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, and also stressed the need to intensify international efforts to realise lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, which can only be achieved through the end of the Israeli occupation of Arab territories and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant international resolutions and the Arab peace initiative. 
Following the meeting, HH the Emir and President Zuma witnessed the signing of a defence co-operation agreement, a police co-operation agreement and an agreement on co-operation in the fields of arts, culture and heritage between the governments of Qatar and South Africa. 
Earlier on arrival at the Emiri Diwan, President Zuma was accorded an official reception ceremony. 
Following the official talks, HH the Emir hosted a luncheon banquet in honour of President Zuma and the accompanying delegation. 
The banquet was attended by a number of ministers and businessmen. 
Separately, HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani held a meeting with the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation of South Africa Maite Nkoana-Mashabane here yesterday. 
They discussed relations between Qatar and South Africa and ways of enhancing them in various fields, in addition to exchanging views on a number of issues of common concern.