The State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Germany have confirmed the depth of the existing bilateral relations between them and their keenness to develop joint cooperation in various fields during the next phase.
HE the Foreign Minister Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah described, during a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is currently visiting Qatar, relations between Doha and Berlin as close since their inception for the first time in 1973 and until today.
Dr. Al Attiyah expressed pleasure that the next phase would feature further exchanged visits between senior officials of the two countries, which will emphasize the development of relations and partnerships between the two countries.
He stressed that relations between the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Germany are based on mutual respect and constructive and serious dealing with regional and international issues to serve international peace and security.
HE the Foreign Minister pointed out that his talks with the German Foreign Minister dealt with opening further prospects of joint cooperation to serve the interests of the two friendly countries and peoples, welcoming in this regard, the presence of German companies in infrastructure development projects and their contribution to the development currently underway in the State of Qatar.
Touching on Qatar’s contribution to the German economy, Dr. Al-Attiyah said it is the largest Arab investor in Germany. He noted that Qatar investments there valued 18 billion euros.
He praised anew the remarkable development of the Qatari-German relations not only on the economic level but also in many other diverse aspects such as education, culture, science and technology, referring in this respect to the recently announced establishment, at the Science and Technology Park in Qatar, of a research and development centre affiliating to the German Porsche and Volkswagen Company with conducting applied researches in the development of car industry as one of its prime concerns. This shows that genuine relationship between friends take multiple aspects and are still in constant evolution, Dr. Al Attiyah said.
He explained that the Qatari and German sides discussed matters of common interest and the latest developments in the Middle East, especially the peace process and the Syrian crisis.
On the current developments in Libya, Dr. Al-Attiyah appealed to the interOn the current developments in Libya, Dr. Al-Attiyah appealed to the international community to support stability there, calling on all the Libyan political components to enter into dialogue, renounce violence, condemn assassinations and put the interest of Libya and the Libyan people to the fore.
In response to a question about Qatar’s role in the release of the American soldier in Afghanistan in exchange for the release of five Taliban leaders held at Guantanamo, HE the Foreign Minister explained that when it comes to the question of humanity, HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani never stops short. “and this actually what happened to (U.S. Army Private Bowe) Bergdahl and the five detainees in Guantanamo.” He said HH the Emir has directed the competent authorities in the country to start this humanitarian mediation which was successful after long negotiations.
Dr. Al Attiyah also thanked the Qatari negotiating team, which made efforts to achieve this result as per the best traditions of the Qatari policy in humanitarian efforts in such cases. He stressed that the confidence enjoyed by the State of Qatar at the international level has facilitated the task of dealing with the parties in this matter.
In response to a question about the recent presidential elections in Egypt, HE Dr. Al-Attiyah expressed the hope that these elections and their circumstances would be an encouraging factor. However he felt that the only way to reach stability and realize understanding through dialogue with everyone in Egypt, and said, “This is what we wish in Qatar. ” On the conditions of migrant workers in Qatar and the improvement of their conditions, HE the Foreign Minister said in Qatar are building a state. This requires a lot of effort, and here we extend our sincere thanks to the countries which sent those who help us in order to continue our development,” Dr. Al Attiyah said.
He added that “the State of Qatar has a vision until 2030 and not just until the hosting the World Cup 2022. We are serious and if there are errors, we will correct them and that’s what we’ve done actually when we appointed an international consultant to study what is possible to develop the relationship between the employer the worker. We have taken steps that preceded the result of the report on the improvement of the legal procedures and we are now on the process of developing the labor law and have made serious steps, including drawing near to the amendment of the law. ” He explained that the relationship will be a contractual relationship between the employer and the worker, pointing out that Qatar welcomes all who want to visit the open spaces where there are large-scale projects to inspect the safety standards and criteria for dealing with the workforce in Qatar.
ublic of Germany during the month of September.
Addressing the joint press conference, the German foreign minister said, when HH the Emir received him today, he felt the Qatari leadership’s keenness to move forward on the path of progress and development taking place in the state, stressing that the German delegation, which is made up of politicians, economists and journalists, is following this path with much attention .
He expressed pleasure over his visit to the State of Qatar and his meeting for the third time with Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah since the beginning of this year to discuss many issues of common concern, such as bilateral relations and the Syrian crisis .
Dr. Steinmeier said his current visit to Doha provided him with an opportunity to exchange views and hold discussions in various fields with HE the Foreign Minister, saying he was looking forward to further opportunities this year to discuss with his counterpart Dr. Al-Attiyah matters of interest to both countries.
Dr. Steinmeier described Qatar as a ” dynamic state” with its economy witnessing an escalating growth, as well as being a centre for many German companies which have extensive experience with some of them working in the country for more than 20 years .
He continued, ” I am accompanied in my visit to the State of Qatar by an economic delegation caring much for the economic and investment development in it at a time when commercial exchange between the two countries achieved a growth rate of 7 percent over the past year .” The German foreign minister referred to the many economic and investment opportunities in Qatar, hoping for the continuation of the joint economic cooperation between the two countries for the interest of the two countries and their friendly peoples. In a related context, he expressed admiration for the economic progress achieved by Qatar describing it as “excellent”.
He noted that his talks with Dr. Al-Attiyah dealt with the situation in the Middle East and developments in Syria , expressing concern of the two sides over the tragic events taking place in this country and their fears that they would spill over to countries neighboring Syria . He pointed out also that the talks dealt with other issues, including the Ukrainian crisis.
He went on to say:” we have noted the tragic situation of Syrian refugees of whom between 1.3 to 1.4 million fled to Lebanon, calling for providing them with assistance , especially since Lebanon bears a serious burden due to their presence on its territory. Dr. Steinmeier called for extending support to neighboring countries hosting Syrian refugees, such as Jordan and Lebanon and also to whom he termed ”the moderate opposition” .
He believed that a solution to the problem of Syrian refugees lies in a political solution to the Syrian crisis, saying after the resignation of the UN/Arab League envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi, his successor should exert more effort in this difficult task.
The German Foreign Minister pointed out to the partnership between Qatar and Germany in this regard saying they are partners and must consult each other. “Positive and open atmospheres have dominated our talks and I look forward to more of these meetings soon,” Dr. Steinmeier said.
The German Foreign Minister expected the Friend of Syria Group to hold a meeting after ” after the so-called elections, which were decided by the Assad regime “to seek a political solution to the crisis .
In his answers, Steinmeier also touched on the situation in Egypt and the economic and other difficulties the country is going through, saying if the new leadership wants to succeed, it should move forward in remedying the economy.
Source : Qatar News Agency
