JOINT COMMUNIQUE QATAR FRANCE OF VISIT OF PRESIDENT MACRON IN QATAR

USPA NEWS - At the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, the President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, made his first official visit to Doha on December 7th 2017. This trip takes place in the wake of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani´s recent visit to Paris on September 15th 2017, as well as numerous exchanges between both Heads of State. During their meeting in Doha, His Highness the Emir and the President of the French Republic highlighted the deeply-rooted friendship between Qatar and France and reaffirmed the quality of the relationship between both countries. They underlined the importance of pursuing and strengthening this relationship in all fields.

At the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, the President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, made his first official visit to Doha on December 7th 2017. This trip takes place in the wake of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani´s recent visit to Paris on September 15th 2017, as well as numerous exchanges between both Heads of State. During their meeting in Doha, His Highness the Emir and the President of the French Republic highlighted the deeply-rooted friendship between Qatar and France and reaffirmed the quality of the relationship between both countries. They underlined the importance of pursuing and strengthening this relationship in all fields.  The visit of the French President to Qatar marks a major step in the affirmation of a common vision between both countries and a will to build a safer world. In this regard, the President of the French Republic also visited the Al Udeid military base and engaged with Lieutenant General J. Harrigian, Commander of US Air Forces CENTCOM. After a presentation of the current state of play of Operation Chammal by General Parisot, the President of the French Republic exchanged lengthily with the French contingent deployed on this base to participate in the coordination of the International Coalition operations in Iraq and in Syria. This visit was an opportunity for the President of the French Republic to take stock of the progress of the fight against ISIS.   His Excellency Dr. Khaled Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the State of Qatar, and his French counterpart the Minister of Armed forces, Mrs Florence Parly, signed a letter of Intent regarding an intergovernmental agreement.    The Emir and the President of the French Republic discussed the GCC Crisis and its impact on the region. The President of the French Republic reaffirmed France's call for a swift solution within the framework of the Kuwaiti mediation. The two leaders also discussed the Libyan crisis and stressed the need to support the UN led mediation, through specific actions towards all Libyan actors. The fight against terrorism and violent extremism, which stands high on the agenda of the partnership between France and Qatar, was thoroughly discussed during the meeting between both Heads of State. The Emir of the State of Qatar and the President of the French Republic also witnessed the signature by Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, and Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, of the Declaration of Intent between the Governments of Qatar and France regarding the bilateral cooperation on combating terrorism and violent extremism which will be stepped up. This declaration is addressing the financing of terrorism and violent extremism as well as their social economic and political roots. In the light of this cooperation, both leaders discussed the international conference against the financing of terrorism that France is hosting in April 2018. In a step that demonstrates the deep cooperation between the two nations, the President of the Republic and the Emir attended, today in Doha, the first session of the high-level bilateral dialogue, set out by the Declaration of Intent. Senior representatives from relevant ministries and agencies of both countries participated in this session. The session resulted in the adoption of a common understanding at several levels setting out  concrete actions and programs to further develop the cooperation between the two countries in the relevant fields.  

Determined to strengthen the relation between the two countries in the field of education and higher education, the President of the French Republic and the Emir commended the signature between His Excellency, Mohamed Al Hammadi, Minister of Education and Higher Education of the State of Qatar and Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, of the 7th Executive Program in the field of Education and Higher Education within the framework of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement signed in 1977. The Emir of Qatar and the President of the French Republic also warmly welcomed the signature, by Her Excellency, Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of the Qatar Foundation, and by Mr. Eric Chevallier, Ambassador of France to the State of Qatar, for the National Library of France (BNF), of a Letter of Intent between the BNF and the Qatar National Library for the development of scientific, technical and cultural cooperations. THE VIIST TO DOHA OF THE FRNCH PRESENT ALLOWED FOR THE SIGNATURE OF VARIOUS AGREEMENTS The visit to Doha of the French President allowed for the signature of various agreements in several fields including education, culture and military, in the presence of both Heads of State:   1-      Cooperation Agreement  between Qatar Airways and Airbus Aviation Group 2-      Cooperation Agreement between the Public Works Authority / Ashghal / and the French Group for Water and Waste Management / Suez / 3-      Memorandum of Commitment and Mutual Cooperation to provide services for the Doha Metro and Tram Lusail between Qatar Railways, the French National Railways Company and the Independent Transport Operator in Paris 4-      A Letter of Cooperation Agreement between Qatar's Ministry of Defense and Dassault Aviation. 5-      Letter of Intent for Cooperation between the Qatari Ministry of Defense and Nexter Systems Source :French Elysee Palace, Qatari Diwan Palace