Deputy of the French National Assembly and Member of Parliament for French citizens living abroad, Amal Amélia Lakrafi
Doha, Qatar: Deputy of the French National Assembly and Member of Parliament for French citizens living abroad, Amal Amélia Lakrafi (pictured) has emphasised the crucial role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening international relations, particularly between France and Qatar.
In a correspondence interview with The Peninsula, Lakrafi, who also serves as Vice-President of the France-Qatar Parliamentary Friendship Group, underscored the importance of fostering dialogue and trust between the two nations.
“The Parliamentary Friendship Group plays a key role in facilitating regular dialogues and creating unique synergies between our two countries,” she said.
“This parliamentary framework allows us to go beyond official relations to build bridges based on trust, the exchange of ideas, and the pursuit of common solutions.”
“…The friendship group is a unique platform that helps strengthen the ties between our two countries. What makes it particularly valuable is that the participating parliamentarians are free to express their views.
“They do not represent the government or French institutions, which allows them to act as insightful messengers and valuable mediators in our bilateral exchanges,” she added.
Looking to the future, Lakrafi is committed to enhancing bilateral collaborations in education, sustainability, and innovation.
She highlighted the expansion of francophone institutions in Qatar as a critical step in promoting the French language and culture in the region.
“We aim to deepen our collaborations in education, particularly by supporting the expansion of francophone institutions in Qatar,” she said.
Additionally, she is eager to explore partnerships that address environmental challenges while promoting economic growth.
A staunch advocate for multilateralism, Lakrafi is also working to support Qatar’s bid to join the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF), a platform that fosters collaboration among 95 global parliaments. “This integration would enable Qatar to strengthen its role on the francophone stage, while benefiting from the collective expertise of APF members,” she noted.
Lakrafi believes that strengthening the connections between parliaments and international institutions like the United Nations is essential for creating sustainable solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. “It is through this collaboration between states, parliaments, and international institutions that we can build sustainable solutions and effectively address the challenges of our time,” she added.
Lakrafi visited Qatar to participate in the recently concluded Doha Forum 2024. She said that the United Nations, the preeminent institution of multilateralism, faces growing challenges, and that the Doha Forum has firmly established itself on the international stage.
During the visit, Lakrafi also met with several Qatari officials from various sectors to discuss recent developments and explore ways to enhance bilateral relations. Discussions were held in areas, including education, investment, trade, culture, energy transition, new technologies, and the robust defence partnership.
“I had very enriching discussions with Qatari officials, covering a range of varied and strategic topics for our two nations,” she said.
As a deputy representing French citizens living abroad, Lakrafi serves the French community effectively through constant interaction with expatriates on ground and virtually. She ensures to address their needs.
“It is crucial to remind French citizens abroad to register with the consular list. This step is essential to ensure their safety and to allow them to benefit from rapid and effective support when needed. My commitment is to ensure that no French citizen abroad feels isolated or forgotten. We have achieved a lot, but we must continue working together to go even further and fully meet the expectations of our compatriots,” she said.
