Amir’s directive to donate $20m to African Union fund

QNA
Doha: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has given directions to establish a fund, sponsored by the African Union, for covering the costs of evacuating irregular African immigrants in Libya to their countries and reintegrating them into their communities, where the State of Qatar will contribute $20m to the fund.

This initiative from H H the Amir comes as part of His Highness’ vision of supporting the humanitarian and development work in the African Union countries and to alleviate the difficult living conditions of these immigrants.

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met yesterday at the Amiri Diwan, with Chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and the accompanying delegation, on the occasion of their visit to Qatar

Talks during the meeting addressed the cooperation relations between the State of Qatar and the African Union in different spheres. In this regard, Moussa Faki Mahamat extended thanks to

H H the Amir for the State of Qatar’s continuous support for the development projects in Africa, particularly His Highness’ directions for establishing a fund, sponsored by the African Union, to over the costs of evacuating irregular African immigrants in Libya to their countries and reintegrating them into their communities as well as contributing $20m to this fund. The meeting also touched on a host of topics of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Shura Council, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, also met with Moussa Faki Mahamat.

The meeting dealt with a host of issues of common concern.

During the meeting, H E the Shura Council’s Speaker praised the significant growth of Qatar’s relations with African countries, especially after the tour carried by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the visits of several African leaders to Doha and the numerous cooperation agreements signed during those visits.

H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud stressed that the Shura Council attaches great importance to developing and cementing parliamentary cooperation with African parliaments.

For his part, Moussa Faki Mahamat lauded the great role, Qatar plays, for realising peace and stability in the continent as well as its keen interest in developing its relations with African countries.

He expressed happiness over holding the upcoming session of the Union of African Parliaments in Doha next April, saying that the session is taking place amid major challenges that require a common global parliamentary vision to address them.

A lineup of Shura Council officials attended the meeting.

اجتمع سعادة الشيخ محمد بن عبد الرحمن آل ثاني نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الخارجية، اليوم، مع سعادة السيد موسى فكي محمد رئيس مفوضية الاتحاد الإفريقي الذي يزور البلاد حاليا.

بحث الاجتماع سبل تعزيز آفاق التعاون، بالإضافة إلى الأمور ذات الاهتمام المشترك.

وعقب الاجتماع شهد سعادة نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الخارجية، وسعادة رئيس مفوضية الاتحاد الإفريقي، التوقيع على مذكرة تفاهم تقدم من خلالها دولة قطر منحة بقيمة 20 مليون دولار أمريكي كمنحة مقيدة لصالح ضحايا الهجرة غير النظامية والاتجار بالبشر، حيث سيتم استخدام مبلغ المنحة من خلال برامج التمويل الأصغر للمساعدة في عملية إعادة إدماج العائدين في بلدانهم الأصلية.

قام بالتوقيع على المذكرة من جانب دولة قطر السيد مسفر بن حمد الشهواني نائب المدير العام للمشاريع التنموية بصندوق قطر للتنمية، ومن جانب الاتحاد الإفريقي سعادة السيدة أميرة الفضل مفوض الشؤون الاجتماعية بالاتحاد.