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QNA / TNN
Paris
The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani met on Thursday with President of France Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris.
They discussed the strategic relations between the two countries and the ways to boost and develop them in various fields. They also touched on a number of emerging regional and international issues.
Besides, the Amir attended a working lunch hosted by the French president at the Elysee Palace. During the lunch, the Amir and Macron discussed the development of strategic ties and cooperation. Talks also focused on the latest developments in the region and the world, particularly in the Gulf and Libya.
The working lunch was attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the Amir and a number of ministers and top officials of France.
This was the third visit of the Amir to France since July, 2018. It affirms the strong bond of partnership between the two countries and a relationship having its roots in history. The visit also assumes significance as the two countries gear up to celebrate Qatar-France Year of Culture in 2020 with growing cultural exchanges.
The Amir visited Paris last time in November, 2018, to attend the first Paris Peace Forum on the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The invitation in itself spoke volumes about the extent of partnership on key global issues between Qatar and France.
Prior to that, the Amir visited France in July, 2018, and held talks with President Macron, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and a number of senior French officials pertaining to bilateral cooperation in different fields.
During the visit a number of cooperation agreements were also signed between the two countries.
After his working visit to the UK today, the Amir will head the delegation of the State of Qatar to the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, which will take place at the UN headquarters in New York, the US.
The Amir will also deliver a speech during the opening session of the UN General Assembly on September 24, Tuesday.
Meanwhile, British Ambassador to Qatar HE Ajay Sharma expressed hope that the Amir’s visit to the UK would strengthen the bilateral relations between the two nations to even stronger cooperation in the areas of mutual benefit.
He also pointed to the “historic, deep and important” relationship between the two countries.
“We in the UK are entering a new period in our history as we leave the European Union. It is a good illustration of the strength of the relationship that at this key moment in our history, we have a meeting between our Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani on Friday. This shows how much Qatar matters to the UK, and how much the UK matters to Qatar,” he said.
He continued, “We are particularly lucky that at the top of our systems we have leaders who know our two countries well. We have a prime minister who knows Qatar very well, way back from his time as the mayor of London. During his tenure, Qatar changed the London skyline with the Shard, Chelsea Barracks and the Olympic Village. He visited Qatar several times as the mayor of London. He also knows Qatar as the former foreign secretary of the UK. He has strong relationships with people in Qatar.
“On the other hand, His Highness the Amir knows the UK so well from his time at Sandhurst, his time at school, and his frequent visits to the UK,” he added.
