The European Parliament delegation has thanked Qatar for the evacuation of European citizens from Afghanistan stressing need for enhanced cooperation in coming times to address Afghanistan crisis.
Jose Ramon Bauza Diaz, Member of the European Parliament and a member of its Foreign Affairs/Transport and Tourism Committees, yesterday said that crisis in Afghanistan highlights importance of even greater cooperation between Qatar and the European Union.
Diaz who is also Chairman of the EU-Qatar Friendship Group at European Parliament, further said that Qatar has been central to the evacuation efforts.
“Many international actors are shifting their Afghan diplomatic missions to Doha. Cooperation between Qatar and the European Union will remain crucial in the next year in different areas,” he said in a press conference of the European Parliament delegation. Diaz said that the area of security was paramount in working with Qatar. “We will ensure that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorist organisations and disrupt regional stability.”
The second area, he said, is addressing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan where Qatar and Europe can cooperate. “We will also work with Qatar and other partners to ensure respect of human rights in Afghanistan, especially those of women and children.”
Diaz said that evacuation and resettlement of those who are fleeing Afghanistan was another area where the EU requires continuous cooperation with Qatar.
“I thank Qatar for the assistance in evacuation of EU nationals and generosity shown towards Afghans.”
He lauded arrangements made by Qatar for sheltering evacuees in a housing compound in Qatar.
Tiziana Beghin, member of the European Parliament, said that Qatar’s role in Afghanistan crisis was appreciable. She said that European Parliament delegation visited the compound hosting Afghan evacuees, a housing facility constructed for FIFA World Cup 2022 was being used for a humanitarian cause.
Responding to a question, Diaz said that Qatar, in Afghanistan crisis, was simultaneously working with Europe and the United States therefore its role was very crucial. “Many non-European countries and some international organisations are also relocating their embassies or offices to Qatar.”
To a question, Beghin said that Afghan evacuee children were being provided with best care to address their emotional trauma in housing compound. “The efforts of Qatar are concrete. It is not easy to receive so many people and provide them with such a safe and clean accommodation.”
