Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs: Qatar Calls for International Consensus on What Needs to be Done in Afghanistan
Ljubljana - Information Office - November 04
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani affirmed Qatar's keenness on the necessity of avoiding a collapse in Afghanistan, saying that Qatar calls for international consensus on what should be done in Afghanistan and urged the Afghan government to show its commitment to engaging all parties without discrimination and ensuring rights, especially the rights of girls and women.
In a joint press conference with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia Dr. Anze Logar on Thursday in Ljubljana, HE the Foreign Minister called on the countries of the world to participate in the humanitarian efforts towards Afghanistan, pointing out the need for the world to see serious steps in the field of combating terrorism from the Afghan side and dealing with the various Afghans instead of isolating them.
On the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear issue, His Excellency affirmed Qatar's position calling for a resumption of dialogue between the parties at the earliest opportunity. He that the State of Qatar welcomes positive steps in this regard, stressing the need for the region to be free of nuclear activities.
HE the Foreign Minister pointed out that the Qatari-Slovenian talks discussed the peace process in the Middle East, underlining Qatar's clear position based on the two-state solution, ending the occupation, and establishing the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs praised the bilateral relations between Qatar and Slovenia, expressing his happiness to meet HE the President of the Republic of Slovenia, HE the Prime Minister, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Interior. He said that the discussions in Ljubljana were fruitful and dealt with the exchange of views on the most prominent regional and international issues, pointing to the important role of the Republic of Slovenia as the current president of the European Union. Also, he praised the Slovenian community in the State of Qatar, which despite its small number contributes effectively to the process of construction and development.
His Excellency expressed Qatar's aspiration to develop economic, trade, and investment relations between the two countries, pointing to the visit of the Qatari trade delegation to Slovenia early next year to explore and evaluate opportunities, especially in the fields of energy, technology, renewable energy, and information technology.
HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia welcomed the visit of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs to his country, expressing optimism about the results of the talks that took place today and his aspiration to develop bilateral relations between the two countries.
He said that the discussions focused on developing bilateral relations by strengthening economic cooperation, stressing the need to continue holding such meetings and sustaining discussions between the two countries. He pointed out that he presented Slovenia's presidential plan to HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, which would advance common interest and develop bilateral cooperation.
HE Logar added that the discussions also touched on the important issues that the State of Qatar participates in and contributes to, including the nuclear agreement negotiations, the Afghan issue, and the peace process in the Middle East.
The Slovenian Foreign Minister stressed the need to adhere to the moral duty to continue supporting the Afghan people, expressing his appreciation for the efforts of the State of Qatar in the Afghan file.
His Excellency announced the agreement to hold the second meeting of the joint committee between the two countries to promote trade and investments in the fields of energy, tourism, communications, information technology, and the environment, expressing aspiration to discuss more opportunities with the Qatari trade delegation that will visit Slovenia in early 2022.
The Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the comprehensive agreement on air transport with the European Union, signed between the State of Qatar and the EU in Luxembourg, paved the way for a new phase of cooperation in the field of air transport between both parties, pointing to new areas of cooperation between the State of Qatar and the European Union in near future.