European Union delegation premises inaugurated in Qatar

Doha, The Gulf Observer: President of the European Council HE Charles Michel inaugurated on Wednesday, the premises of the European Union Delegation in the State of Qatar, to strengthen Qatari-European relations and advance them towards a new stage of bilateral cooperation and upgrading diplomatic relations between them.

The opening ceremony was attended by Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the European Union HE Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Malki and Ambassador-designate of the European Union to Qatar HE Dr. Cristian Tudor.

In his speech on this occasion, HE Charles Michel said that his current visit to the State of Qatar and the inauguration of the premises of the EU Delegation in Doha is an important sign of the political will of the EU toward improving and developing its relations with the State of Qatar.

He added that the world is facing global challenges in the energy sectors, economic development and security challenges, which reinforces the conviction that cooperation with Qatar is an important way to jointly overcome various difficult challenges.

HE Michel pointed out that he had conducted a number of meetings and political consultations with officials in the State of Qatar, expressing his confidence that remarkable progress would be made on important issues of common interest, for example exempting Qatari citizens from entry visas to the EU, and taking other important decisions concerning relations between the two sides in the coming weeks.

He noted the common aspirations and goals between the EU and the State of Qatar, and their keenness to make more efforts related to achieving security, stability and prosperity in all fields.

Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the EU HE Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Malki stated that the opening of the premises of the EU Delegation in Doha came based on the joint agreement signed by the two sides in Brussels in Feb. 2022, which was represented in the establishment of an EU mission in the State of Qatar and its privileges and immunities, explaining that the visit of President of the European Council is the first to the country and aims to strengthen bilateral relations and joint cooperation in many projects, which will be studied and announced soon, the matter which reflects the importance of the State of Qatar and its position for the EU.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Qatar’s Ambassador to the EU affirmed that Qatari-European relations witnessed remarkable progress during the last period, as there were many bilateral visits between the two sides, intending to strengthen cooperation between the two parties in the long term through meetings between officials, exchange visits, and organizing events in various fields.

In remarks to QNA, Ambassador-designate of the EU to Qatar HE Dr. Cristian Tudor expressed great happiness and appreciation for being appointed as the resident ambassador of the EU to the State of Qatar and head of the EU mission in Doha, noting that the opening of the mission premises today reflects the EU’s interest in the State of Qatar, especially after the important achievements that have been achieved during the last period between the two sides, foremost of which is the European Commission’s announcement of exempting Qatari citizens from the EU (Schengen) visa, which will enter into force soon after completing the related procedures.

He noted that the great momentum witnessed by the European-Qatari relations reflects their political will, keenness and firm desire to strengthen relations between them and to study the implementation of many joint projects and plans on the ground, as well as strengthening cooperation on the issues of energy, security and stability, green transformation, digitization and others. He praised Qatar’s great role and its efforts to bring security, stability and peace to the region and the world.

Regarding hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Tudor praised the achievements, reforms and updates made by the State of Qatar to host this tournament, affirming the readiness of the EU to provide support in various fields for the success of this global sporting event.