France’s Crisis Support Centre seeks deeper, long-term cooperation with Qatar

Doha, Qatar: Director of the Crisis and Support Centre at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Philippe Lalliot praised Qatar s growing...

Doha, Qatar: Director of the Crisis and Support Centre at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Philippe Lalliot praised Qatar’s growing global leadership in humanitarian action and mediation, calling its role “distinctive, influential, and irrepressible” during an interview with The Peninsula, yesterday.

Lalliot, in Qatar for the Doha Forum 2025, said the theme ‘Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress,’ highlights the urgent need for fairness, equality, and accountability which core principles for crisis response and international cooperation.

“Justice is not optional or negotiable,” he said. “We must stand firm on the values we believe in: respect for international law, humanitarian law, multilateralism, solidarity and generosity. These principles must translate into concrete measures, not just declarations.” He noted that discussions on the first day of the forum reflected a growing consensus for action-oriented humanitarian work.

Lalliot confirmed that Qatar and France are already engaged in several joint humanitarian initiatives particularly in Lebanon, Gaza and Afghanistan, but highlighted that both sides are now exploring a shift toward long-term, structural cooperation.

“We do a lot already, but I’m sure we can do more,” he said adding that several meetings are scheduled with Qatari officials during his stay in Qatar.