Qatar and France sign several pacts; reiterate fight against terrorism

QNA
Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and Prime Minister of the French Republic, Edouard Philippe, held an official talks session yesterday at the Amiri Diwan and witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding between both governments.

The also addressed a press conference in which they called on the international community to make sincere efforts to find peaceful solutions to the current crises in Syria, Libya and Yemen.

They also talked about the bilateral cooperation in organizing 2022 World Cup. In the context of combating terrorism, H E the Prime Minister and Interior Minister said that the two countries’ vision is identical in rejecting terrorism and its forms, noting that the State of Qatar spares no effort in combating terrorism at the national, regional and international levels.

During the talks session, they discussed bilateral relations between both countries and aspects of promoting and developing them in various fields, especially in the security, defence, cultural and educational fields. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments of common interest.

At the outset of the session, H E the Prime Minister expressed thanks and appreciation for joining the official opening of the National Museum of Qatar, which highlights the depth of the friendly cooperation relations between both countries in various fields.

H E the Prime Minister voiced his confidence that the meeting will contribute to instilling the strategic understanding and found an important phase for the distinguished bilateral relations.

HE the Prime Minister also reaffirmed full conviction that there are broad prospects of cooperation for the two countries which must be discovered and shared in a spirit of partnership and harmony to serve the two countries and the two peoples in various fields.

The French Prime Minister expressed content for attending the opening of the National Museum of Qatar which is an important and wonderful monument that adds greatly to Qatar.

He added that the relations between both countries are continuously developing, especially during the tough phase that the people of Qatar are facing and have been able to overcome successfully.

H E the Prime Minister and Interior Minister and Prime Minister of the French Republic witnessed the signing of an agreement between the governments of the State of Qatar and the French Republic on exchanging classified and protected information in the defence field.

They also witnessed the signing of a letter of intent between the Ministry of the Interior in the French Republic and the security committee for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

They also witnessed the signing of an administrative arrangement annexe for cooperation between the French Ministry of Justice and the Public Prosecution in Qatar on promoting cooperation in the field of fighting cyber crimes.

The two sides also witnessed the signing of a letter of intent between Qatar Museums and the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs on moving the French Institute in Qatar to Bait Al Zaman.

They also witnessed the signing of a letter of intent between Qatar Museums and Palais de Tokyo in Paris, a cooperation agreement between Imagine institute for genetic diseases and Hamad bin Khalifa University.

The signing of the agreements and memorandums of understanding were attended by a number of Their Excellencies the ministers and from the French side it was attended by a number of Their Excellencies the members of the official delegation accompanying the French Prime Minister.

Addressing the press conference, the Prime Minister said that Qatar cherishes the distinguished cooperation relations with the French Republic which have been established more than 40 years ago, pointing that France has now become a strategic partner to the State of Qatar.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that their meeting today comes as part of a meeting series to promote these deep relations between both countries under the leadership of H H the Amir and the French President.

The Prime Minister added that points of views and opinions have honestly and transparently been exchanged and bilateral relations between both countries have been reviewed. He confirmed the need to promote these relations in various fields adding that economic cooperation was one of the meeting’s priorities as both countries have capabilities especially that the Qatari investments in France are continuously increasing in different fields, mostly in energy, real estate and sports to name a few.

The Prime Minister said the French investments and companies in Qatar have great presence, especially that Qatar has created an appropriate environment for foreign investments through developing legislations, establishing free zones and issuing the laws on foreigners’ property ownership and permanent residence. He added that Qatar looks forward to increase investments and trade volume with France.

The Prime Minister added that during the talks they touched on the bilateral cooperation in organising 2022 World Cup on a security level related to fighting terrorism and cybercrimes and through French companies which will work on completing the infrastructure and projects for the World Cup.

He said that Qatar seeks to organise a remarkable tournament that will be a qualitative leap in hosting World Cup competitions and wished the French team good luck in the tournament.

The Prime Minister said several agreements were signed today, opening up broad prospects for strengthening the relations and cooperation to achieve the common interests of both countries.

With regards to political issues, he said that topics related to the current Gulf crisis were discussed, as he valued the positive stance of the French Republic since the beginning of the crisis, and its ongoing call for resolving it through dialogue. He added that they discussed the Palestinian issue confirming that the State of Qatar and the French Republic share a common vision that it is impossible to have stability in the Middle

East or the world unless there is a just and comprehensive solution to the issue through the implementing international legitimacy resolutions, complying with the concept of a two-state solution which was agreed to by the international community, the Arab Peace Initiative and establishing the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Prime Minister called on the international community to make sincere efforts to find peaceful solutions to the current crises in Syria, Libya and Yemen and to preserve the unity of these countries and meet the aspirations of their peoples for security, stability and freedom.

For his part, the Prime Minister of the French Republic extended thanks to H H the Amir for his hospitality accorded to him and the accompanying delegation. He also thanked the Prime Minister for the cordial reception and the lengthy discussions held this morning, pointing out that this is his first official visit to Qatar.

The French Prime Minister stressed the importance of the relations between the two countries and the convergence of their future visions in most of the issues. He also underlined the development of the Qatari economy and its diversity, which enhances the partnership between Qatar and France.

He praised Qatar’s cultural aspirations, which were manifested in joining the International Organisation of the Francophonie as an associate member.

The French Prime Minister also stressed that the Gulf crisis can only be solved through dialogue and diplomatic means.

The French Prime Minister pointed out that in this visit he is focusing on encouraging cultural and sports cooperation, as he represented the French President and attended the opening ceremony of the National Museum of Qatar yesterday, adding that the opening of the museum was a remarkable moment for Qatar’s history.

The French Prime Minister also said that he would visit several World Cup 2022 stadiums. The visit of the French Prime Minister to Doha also focuses on encouraging investments as France is the third country in the volume of Qatari trade exchanges with Europe.

The visit is focusing also on Qatar Metro project, which employs several French efficient staff, as well as aspects of economy, investment and industry relations between the two countries.

With regard to combating terrorism and the crises in the region, he said that France and Qatar are working together to root out terrorism and resolve the crises in the troubled region, stressing that the international community has made important steps in the war on terrorism after the announcement of ISIS defeat in Syria.

He concluded that the two countries should work together to promote exchanges in educational, scientific, economic and research fields, and think together for a common and secured future.

شهد معالي الشيخ عبدالله بن ناصر بن خليفة آل ثاني رئيس مجلس الوزراء ووزير الداخلية، ودولة السيد إدوارد فيليب رئيس وزراء الجمهورية الفرنسية الصديقة، التوقيع على عدة اتفاقيات ومذكرات تفاهم بين حكومتي البلدين، وذلك بالديوان الأميري قبل ظهر أمس.

فقد شهدا التوقيع على اتفاقية بين حكومة دولة قطر وحكومة الجمهورية الفرنسية، بشأن تبادل المعلومات المصنفة والمحمية في مجال الدفاع، وخطاب نوايا بين وزارة الداخلية في الجمهورية الفرنسية، واللجنة الأمنية لكأس العالم 2022 في دولة قطر، وملحق الترتيب الإداري للتعاون بين وزارة العدل الفرنسية والنيابة العامة في قطر بشأن تعزيز التعاون في مجال مكافحة الجريمة الإلكترونية.

كما شهدا التوقيع على خطاب النوايا بين متاحف قطر ووزارة أوروبا والشؤون الخارجية في الجمهورية الفرنسية، بشأن نقل المعهد الثقافي الفرنسي في قطر إلى بيت الزمان، وخطاب نوايا بين متاحف قطر، وقصر باليه دو طوكيو في باريس، واتفاقية تعاون بين معهد إيماجن لدراسات الأمراض الجينية وجامعة حمد بن خليفة.

حضر توقيع الاتفاقيات ومذكرات التفاهم عدد من أصحاب السعادة الوزراء، وعن الجانب الفرنسي أصحاب السعادة أعضاء الوفد الرسمي المرافق لرئيس وزراء فرنسا.