Doha - Media & Communication Dept. - May 28
Her Excellency Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, concluded a successful visit to the French Republic. During the visit, a series of fruitful meetings were held with a number of French officials, parliamentarians and academics. In addition, Her Excellency was awarded the Legion of Honor with the rank of "Knight", which is the highest French order of merit.
The meetings that took place over the past Thursday and Friday in Paris included the French President's Adviser for North Africa and the Middle East, the Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, members of the GCC-French Friendship Committee at the French Senate, members of the Qatari-French Friendship Committee in the French Parliament, Director General of the French Development Agency, Director of the Crisis and Support Center at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Director General of the Paris Peace Forum, Director General of the French Red Cross and President of the French University of Political Sciences.
The meetings reviewed cooperation relations between the two countries, developing partnerships in energy, sports, investment, development and international development, in addition to exchanging of experiences in managing crises and providing humanitarian assistance. The meetings also discussed enhancing cooperation between the Doha Forum and
the Paris Peace Forum, in addition to enhancing academic and development partnerships between Qatari institutions and the University of Political Sciences in France.
The meetings addressed the Palestinian cause and the importance of supporting both the Palestinian and Lebanese people through joint projects. They also reviewed developments in Sudan, Syria, and Afghanistan, in addition to a number of regional and international issues of common interest.
The visit included the signing of a letter of intent between the State of Qatar and the French Republic on cooperation and partnership in international development. The letter affirmed the determination of the two countries to enhance cooperation and coordination in the field of development and humanitarian assistance, and to encourage the concerned institutions in both countries to continue exploring ways of cooperation in areas of common interest.
HE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs opened the working group meeting in the field of international development as part of the French-Qatari Strategic Dialogue.
The visit comes at a time when the two countries are looking forward to the second round of the strategic dialogue between the State of Qatar and the French Republic to be held in Paris. This is after Doha hosted the first round of the strategic dialogue in March 2022.
It is noteworthy that the past years have witnessed cooperation between the two countries in the field of development and relief work. For example, in December 2021, a joint humanitarian operation was conducted. The State of Qatar coordinated the dispatching of 40 tons of medical assistance and food supplies to international organizations in Afghanistan onboard a military plane. The cooperation also included the evacuation of 600 people, including French citizens, from Afghanistan, in addition to cooperation between the French Development Agency and Education Above All to provide support in the field of education for thousands of children in West Africa.