The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Qatari Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, called, on Thursday 30 September, for a strengthening of relations between the EU and Qatar.
“We discussed how to develop and improve the relationship in terms of security, economy and environment”, the minister said after a meeting in Doha.
Underlining the “very good bilateral relations" between the EU and Qatar and their cooperation on major global issues, Borrell called the Gulf country “a good friend of Europe”. According to him, “there is potential to do more together - at the regional level and globally - and we want to explore these possibilities”. “We have the ambition of a broader and more strategic partnership with Qatar. This includes the big issues of our time: climate change, green transition, renewable energies, connectivity and to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic”, added the head of European diplomacy.
As a sign of good relations, the High Representative announced the opening of an EU delegation in Doha in 2022, calling it an “important event to strengthen our ties”. He also announced the forthcoming signing of an agreement on civil aviation (see EUROPE 12750/31).
Mr Borrell highlighted as well the “crucial role” that Qatar and Qatar Airways played in helping repatriate EU citizens during the Covid-19 pandemic and, more recently, with evacuations from Afghanistan.
Beyond bilateral relations, discussions between the two men focused on regional issues, from the Iran nuclear deal to the situation in Afghanistan. Mr Borrell and Mr Al Thani underlined their disappointment at the human rights violations in Afghanistan in recent days. “We are very disappointed by the recent developments in Afghanistan, which represent a step backwards”, the minister said, calling on the Taliban to follow his model of Islamic governance. “It is very important for Muslim countries to set a good example for the Taliban to avoid mistreatment of women or misuse of Sharia law”, Mr Al Thani warned.
Mr Borrell, for his part, hoped that it would be possible to “reorient the behaviour of the new Afghan government”.
The Qatari Minister further assured that his country was fully committed to supporting partners and allies, including the EU, in the evacuation of nationals and in providing a platform to facilitate negotiations between them and the Afghan government. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)