2 Gulf Times

Monday, May 24, 2021

QATAR
Foreign minister in Tripoli meetings

Envoy hails strong

Qatar-German ties
QNA  The ambassador said Qatar has implemented wide-ranging reforms
Berlin to strengthen labour laws and to increase protection for foreign
workers, which made Qatar occupy a leading position in the region

Q
atar’s ambassador to
Germany Sheikh Ab-
dullah bin Mohamed
bin Saud al-Thani has said that
the organisation of the 2022
FIFA World Cup has connota-
tions that are not limited to Qa-
tar alone, but also extend to in-
clude all citizens of the region.
Since winning the right to
host the 2022 FIFA World Cup,
Qatar announced to the whole
world that it will organise an
exceptional tournament, and
that it had accepted the chal-
lenge and won the honour to
host this tournament through
its bid, which showed the in-
tention to organise a unique
and environmentally friendly
World Cup, the ambassador
said.
He underlined that Qatar will
succeed through the spirit of
challenge in presenting a glo-
bal event that will leave a posi-
tive impact on the entire Mid-
dle East region, revive hopes
in the hearts of young people
and residents of this part of the
world, enhance their belief in
their ability to organise world
tournaments at the highest lev-
el while adhering to their rich
customs, traditions and values.
It would also demonstrate the
ability of sport to extend bridg-
es of communication between
people of different cultures,
intellectual and ethnic affilia-
tions, and dispel the negative
stereotype about the Middle
East.
In an interview with the Ger-
man Business and Diplomacy
magazine, concerned with for-
eign policy and the economy,
the ambassador said Qatar has
implemented wide-ranging re-
forms to strengthen labour laws
and to increase protection for
foreign workers, which made
Qatar occupy a leading position
in the region.
On the Shura Council elec-
tions to be held in October 2021,
he said that these elections
came as a continuation of the
democracy promotion march
and the traditions of Shura,
which His Highness the Father
Amir initiated with the issu-
ance of the Qatari Constitution
in 2004, of which its founda-
tion was laid by His Highness
the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin
Hamad al-Thani to develop the
legislative process with a wider
political and popular participa-
tion of citizens.
The ambassador believed
that the importance of this his-
toric step lies in the fact that it
gives women the right to vote
and run for a seat in the Coun-
cil, describing the announce-
ment of these elections as a
starting point for a new phase
of the process of national ad-
vancement and institution
building that will lay the cor-
nerstone for an important stage
in Qatar’s history, by consoli-
dating the popular and political
participation in the decision-
making process.
It would also strengthen the
participation of Qatari women
who have proven their compe-
tence and ability in various po-
sitions they hold in the State’s
ministries and institutions, as
well as in the private economic
sector.
He also hailed the level of
Qatari-German relations in
various areas, especially in the
economic field. Qatar has stra-
tegic and long-term invest-
ments in Germany, which are
not limited to mere profits, as
the country seeks through them
to create real partnerships, he
added.
“In recent years, we have be-
come more independent, and
have invested in new markets
through economic partner-
ships,” the ambassador said,
pointing out that with this ex- HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman
perience, Qatar wants to con- al-Thani met in Tripoli yesterday with the President of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed
tinue strengthening its position Almanfi. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations, and the latest developments
through economic relations in Libya. The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed during the meeting, Qatar’s full support for the
with Germany, with a focus on sovereignty, unity and stability of Libya. Below: HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani,
small and medium-sized en- also met yesterday in Tripoli, with the vice presidents of the Libya Presidential Council, Mossa
terprises (SMEs) at the current al-Koni and Abdullah Hussein al-Lafi, and the Chairman of the Libyan High Council, Khaled
stage. Ammar al-Mishri (bottom picture).
He affirmed the importance
of promoting close relations
between the two countries by
strengthening co-operation in
the cultural and educational
field, since this is essential in
promoting mutual understand-
ing and achieving rapproche-
ment between people and na-
tions, which mainly contribute
to solving problems and crises
through dialogue before their
outbreak.
The ambassador emphasised
that Qatar had realised early
the importance of cultural ex-
change, as it launched global
initiatives through a variety of
exhibitions, festivals and com-
petitions based on its belief
in the importance of build-
ing bridges of communication
around the world, as demon-
strated by the ‘Year of Culture’
initiative that is organised every
year in partnership between
Qatar and one of the countries
of the world.
He noted that Germany was
a distinguished cultural partner
for Qatar in 2017, as that year
witnessed the organisation of
many events between the two
countries, and culminated in
the inauguration of the Arab
Cultural House “Al-Diwan” in
Berlin, to be a centre for deep-
ening civilizational and cultural
communication between the
two countries.

Qatar supports UN-led

political process in Libya Qatar participates in Arab health
From Page 1

HE Sheikh Mohamed believed that the

ministers’ council meeting
Libyan people aspire today for stability,

Q
ending the state of war and maintaining the atar participated in
unity of Libya away from all foreign inter- the 55th session of the
ventions, stressing that Qatar will always Arab Health Ministers’
support these efforts and the brothers in Council, held yesterday on the
Libya. sidelines of the World Health
He said he looked forward for the Libyan Assembly in Geneva through
officials to visit Qatar to discuss the various videoconferencing.
opportunities for co-operation that lay the HE the Minister of Public
foundation for the future of Libya, express- Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-
ing his wishes for Libya to be a prosperous Kuwari headed the delegation
country. For her part, the Libyan Minister of of Qatar at the meeting, QNA
Foreign Affairs praised the role of Qatar and reported.
its continuous stances in supporting the HE Sheikh Mohamed speaking at the joint press conference. The meeting reviewed several
Libyans since the beginning of the Libyan important topics, including the
revolution in 2011, and went on to thank experience of Qatar in supporting the ef- ing the Gulf reconciliation and the wisdom draft Arab strategy for obtaining
Qatar for the support of His Highness the forts of the National Unity Government in and flexibility it showed in overcoming the Covid-19 vaccines, the mecha-
Amir, the government and the people to the development, construction and develop- crisis, and went on saying, that this is not nism for its implementation,
Presidential Council and the government of ment in various fields and activating the strange for Qatari diplomacy, as well as its unifying efforts to ensure equi-
national unity since the first days, and com- agreements between the two countries. role in mediating between some Arab coun- table provision and distribution
mended the role of Qatar in supporting the She pointed out that Libya also value the tries and Turkey and contributing with Ku- of vaccines to Arab countries,
Libyan political dialogue and its outputs. understandings of specialists in the field wait to resolving the crisis with Iran. in addition to the health condi-
“Within the framework of enhancing of electricity and look forward to putting She also welcomed the steps of the Qa- tions in the occupied Palestinian HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari
joint cooperation between our two coun- them into practice as soon as possible, add- tari-Egyptian rapprochement, adding that territories, including East Jeru-
tries and in light of the presence of many ing that Libya is looking for Qatari policy there is no doubt that the interest of Libya salem and the occupied Syrian were the decision of the Min- Arab Health Ministers Coun-
agreements and memorandum of under- and diplomacy that serves and supports the and the region “requires us to work in har- Golan. isterial Council for Tourism No cil, in addition to the draft uni-
standing signed between the two countries Libyan national consensus and enhances its mony that serves our fateful causes, and The meeting also reviewed 290 on supporting the relaunch fied address of the Arab Health
in various fields, we called for the formation stability. perhaps the recent aggression against the the draft Arab strategy for a and revitalisation of the tour- Ministers’ Council before the
of joint committees from the two parties El Mangoush affirmed the consistency of Palestinian people confirms the unity of all health-friendly budget and the ism and travel sector in the Arab 74th session of the Gen-
to reevaluate, study, update and activate the official positions of Libya with the Se- Arab peoples, and affirms our need to acti- Arab Council for Health Special- countries, the establishment eral Assembly of the World
them in line with the current situation and curity Council resolutions related to Libya vate the mechanisms of joint Arab action”. ties. Other topics of discussion of the Executive Office of the Health Organisation.
in a way that serves the interests of the two and the international determination in par- El Mangoush expressed her hope for the
peoples,” she said. ticular that corresponds to the will of the return of the Qatari diplomatic mission ac-
El Mangoush said that both countries Libyan authorities to achieve stability, and credited from Tunisia to Libya, noting that
have many frameworks and areas to en- Libya looks forward to Qatar’s support for this matter is important for strengthening
hance the cooperation, so Libya empha-
sised during the talks to benefit from the
this position internationally.
She appreciated Qatar’s role in achiev-
relations and developing various areas of
co-operation. Shura Council to attend exceptional
Gulf conference on pandemic implications begins in Oman meeting to support Palestinians
The work of the second Gulf Conference, organised by Omani Dhofar proposals on ways to confront the challenges arising from it. The
University under the title, ‘Coronavirus Pandemic and Sustainable De- conference highlights the role of researchers and thinkers in managing QNA Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) in the
velopment in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Countries: Implica- this crisis and their growing role in spreading awareness among socie- Doha Iranian capital, Tehran. Discussions during the
tions and Opportunities for Innovation,’ started yesterday via vide- ties and to bridge visions among researchers to adopt a humanistic meeting will focus on the use of parliamentary dip-
oconferencing with the participation of experts and academics from thought based on innovation, exchange knowledge and experiences lomatic capabilities to support the oppressed Pal-

universities in the GCC countries, QNA reported from Salalah.
The two-day conference sheds light on the most important challenges
that the GCC countries face in light of the coronavirus pandemic, and
its impact on achieving sustainable development goals and making
in a way that serves humanity and to achieve the desired sustainable
development. The conference includes five main themes on chal-
lenges in the social, educational, economic, health and legal fields, and
25 scientific papers are to be presented during the conference.
T
he Shura Council will participate today in
an exceptional Open-Ended meeting of the
Palestine Committee, to be held by the Fed-
eration of Councils of the member states of the
estinian people, and to put an immediate end to the
attacks carried out by Israel. The Shura Council is
represented at this meeting by Abd Ul-Rahman bin
Yousuf al-Khulaifi, a member of the Council.