High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy H E Josep Borrell has said that European Union (EU) will open its Delegation in Qatar next year.
Addressing a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani yesterday, he announced that the EU would soon open Delegation in Doha further saying it would be opened next year.
“It will be an important event to boost our bilateral ties.”
Borrell further said that the EU was also going to sign a pact on civil aviation with Qatar. “Qatar will be the first country in the Gulf with which we conclude such an aviation agreement. This will bring our people closer and generate new jobs.”
He said that the European Union and Qatar worked jointly on several regional issues. “There is potential to do more together at regional level and globally. And we want to explore these possibilities. I am thankful for having an opportunity of speaking with H H the Amir.”
He said that the EU has ambition for a broader, strategic partnership with Qatar on big issues of current times like climate change, connectivity and fight against pandemic.
Borrell said he had met with Minister of Foreign Affairs at numerous occasions recently during UN General Assembly session. “EU has good bilateral relations with Qatar. We appreciate a lot true cooperation of Qatar on important global issues. Qatar is a good friend of Europe … we are second biggest trading partner and Qatar is a reliable energy provider and in these times it is especially important.”
On Afghanistan issue, Borrell said that Afghanistan issue was an important topic of his talk with the Deputy Prime Minister as Qatar is playing a strategic role in dealing with new situation in Afghanistan. “It has an important role in facilitating interactions with authorities in Kabul of the Western world. Qatar will continue doing that ensuring safe passage for those who need to move also in delivering humanitarian support to Afghanistan.” He said that Qatar is facilitating messaging to Taliban about expectations of international community.
He said that second issue was JCPOA in talks with Qatar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. “It is a key moment for nuclear deal … we should continue working to quick resumption of negotiations with Iran in Vienna. Qatar can play an important role on pushing these negotiations to resume as soon as possible.”
He expressed his “deep gratitude” to crucial role Qatar and Qatar Airways played in helping repatriation of EU citizens twice. “First it was in worst moments of coronavirus pandemic when EU citizens were repatriated by Qatar Airways and recently the repatriation of EU citizens and vulnerable Afghans from Kabul.”
He congratulated Qatar on holding Shura elections. He also congratulated Qatar for improvement in workers’ rights as well as its progress on COVID-19 vaccination. He also expressed his pleasure on normalisation of ties between the GCC countries. He said that world is waiting for Qatar’s role in solving one of the biggest challenges of our time referring to Afghanistan issue.
