The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, underlined on Wednesday 7 September the EU’s objective to strengthen its ties with Qatar during a visit to Doha.
“This visit is a sign of our political will to strengthen ties with Qatar and to improve the very good relations with Qatar and to upgrade the level of our common ambition”, he explained during a press briefing.
According to the President of the European Council, the EU-Qatar friendship is an “important leverage to overcome together” the current global challenges, especially in the energy sector, economic development and security challenges.
“We have a common ambition to make efforts for more security, stability and prosperity, and that is why this cooperation is extremely important”, he insisted.
Mr Michel also hoped that progress would be made in the area of visa exemptions, saying he was convinced that decisions could be made “in the coming weeks” in this area.
The President of the European Council also visited the seat of the new EU delegation in Qatar, which opened on 2 September. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)