The French president thanks Amir for Qatar’s efforts during the Afghan crisis
QNA
Doha
President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron has described his country's relations with 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 on Saturday after a working visit, Macron said France and Qatar have very important relations and there is tangible progress in many issues of bilateral cooperation.
The French president expressed his deep thanks to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the warm reception he received during his visit to the State of Qatar.
He pointed out that the talks he held with HH 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 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.
He said that thanks to the efforts and assistance 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.
The French President added that the joint humanitarian operation between Qatar and France during the Afghan crisis was also represented in the delivery of more than 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, especially to the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC) in Kabul.
He 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 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, the French president 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.
He 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.
The French president 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, the French President 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 His Excellency indicated that this work allowed the development of a framework and international cooperation to improve the fight against terrorism.
