Macron stresses importance of Qatar-France relations

Macron during the press conference held at Doha International Airport prior to his departure

The President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron described his country's relations with the State of Qatar as important and distinguished, and said that they are witnessing continuous progress in all fields.

In a press conference held at Doha International Airport prior to his departure from Qatar this morning after a working visit, Macron added that France and Qatar have very important relations and there is tangible progress in many areas of bilateral cooperation. Macron  expressed his deep thanks to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for the warm reception he received during his visit to the State of Qatar. Macron pointed out that the talks he held with His Highness the Amir covered many and very important topics, including the importance of developing bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as regional situations such as Lebanon, the Gulf states and neighboring relations, and the situation in Afghanistan, especially in humanitarian terms. In this context, Macron praised the role played by the State of Qatar during the Afghan crisis, especially the important assistance it provided to France in evacuating its nationals from Afghanistan at the beginning of the crisis, praising Qatar's humanitarian aid and operations in Afghanistan. Macron said that thanks to the efforts and assistance of the State of Qatar, at the beginning of the Afghan crisis from 4 to 8 September, several hundred Frenchmen who were working in Afghanistan were evacuated, in addition to about 400 Afghan men and women who were threatened because of their relations with France. He added that the joint humanitarian operation between Qatar and France during the Afghan crisis was also represented in the delivery of more than 40 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, especially to the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC) in Kabul. Macron explained that these operations are carried out jointly, and both countries will continue with such joint humanitarian operations. In response to a question regarding Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the French President expressed his satisfaction with the improvement in the conditions of migrant workers in the State of Qatar through the fruitful cooperation between the International Labour Organization and Qatar. He said that Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 improved the conditions of migrant workers, and that the dialogue between the State of Qatar and the International Labour Organization has allowed significant progress in this field, in addition to security standards and worker safety, indicating that there is cooperation between France and Qatar in this field. In response to a question regarding opening a diplomatic representative office for France in Afghanistan, Macron said that this will happen, but there is currently no specific date as there are talks between European countries to secure a joint diplomatic site in Kabul because what matters is securing the safety of ambassadors and diplomatic missions of European countries over there. Macron stressed that this does not mean dialogue with the Taliban, as France has ambassadors in several countries where France does not recognize the existing regime. He touched on the situation in Lebanon and said that the resignation of Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi would reopen the door to resuming talks and exchanges with Arab countries in general and Saudi Arabia in particular. He said that the goal is for the Lebanese government to be able to return to work normally, and to be able to resume work in order to implement the required reforms, and it is also important for the countries of the region to reopen the door to cooperation and economic work with Lebanon. In response to a question about international efforts to combat terrorism, President Macron praised the Qatari-French cooperation in the field of combating terrorism, and talked about the conference to combat terrorist financing organized by France four years ago and then the second edition of it was held in Australia, where he indicated that this work allowed the development of a framework and international cooperation to improve the fight against terrorism.