Qatar, Nato sign agreement on military co-operation
سمو الأمير والأمين العام لحلف الناتو يشهدان التوقيع على اتفاقية تعاون عسكري وأمني
Qatar on Wednesday signed an agreement on co-operation in military and security issues with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) at a programme at Nato headquarters in Brussels.
His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg witnessed the signing of the agreement between the Government of Qatar, represented by the Qatari Armed Forces, and Nato.
The agreement was signed by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Nato Deputy Secretary-General Rose Gottemoeller.
Commenting on the pact, the Emir said it was of strategic importance and it would foster world peace. In a tweet, he said: “Qatar and Nato have laid the foundation of military co-operation. The agreement signed by the two sides today is one of strategic significance that will help better respond to peace and security challenges regionally and worldwide.”
Among the dignitaries present were members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir and a number of senior military officials from both sides.
The Emir also met and held talks with Jens Stoltenberg and senior Nato officials.
The meeting reviewed the relations between Qatar and Nato and the future of co-operation, especially on military and security issues. The two sides also exchanged views and consultations on the current political developments and the challenges facing the region and the world as a whole and the promotion of international peace and security.
For his part, the Nato Secretary-General thanked the Emir for Qatar’s role and its efforts in the fight against terrorism and its co-operation with Nato in this area, especially through Al Udeid Air Base.
The meeting was attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir.
Qatar also signed co-operation arrangements with the European Union. His Highness the Emir witnessed the signing of co-operation arrangements between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European External Action of the European Union, held at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels.
The cooperation arrangements were signed by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.
The arrangements aim to support and promote the relations between both sides through encouraging exchange of information and consultation. It also aims to strengthen the mutual understanding and dialogue between both sides in order to achieve mutual objectives.
Present on the occasion were members of the official delegation and senior officials in the European Union.
The Emir met with the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker.
During the meeting, they discussed the cooperation relations between Qatar and the European Commission and means of enhancing them in all fields.
They also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common concern.
The Emir also met with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini at the European Commission headquarters at Brussels.
The meeting reviewed the ways to support and develop the cooperation between Qatar and the European Union in different fields.
In addition, the meeting exchanged views on the latest developments in the Middle East and urgent international issues, especially those related to immigration and refugees. The meeting also discussed terrorism and the methods to combat it and its financing.
The Emir left Brussels on Wednesday evening, concluding an official visit to Belgium, heading to Sofia for a state visit to Bulgaria.
The Emir sent a cable to King Philippe of Belgium and Prime Minister Charles Michel to express his thanks and appreciation for the warm reception and honour accorded to him and the delegation accompanying him during the visit, which provided an opportunity to exchange views on issues of mutual interest and to discuss ways to boost relations of friendship and co-operation between the two countries in various fields.
His Highness the Emir arrived in Sofia on Wednesday evening on a state visit to Bulgaria.
Upon arrival at Sofia International Airport, the Emir and the accompanying delegation were greeted by Bulgaria’s Minister of State and Director of the Office of the President, Ivo Khristov, a number of senior Bulgarian officials, Qatar’s ambassador to Bulgaria Rashid bin Ali al-Khater, Bulgarian ambassador to Qatar Metin Kazak, and members of the Qatari embassy.
شهد حضرة صاحب السمو الشيخ تميم بن حمد آل ثاني أمير البلاد المفدى وسعادة السيد ينس ستولتنبرغ الأمين العام لحلف شمال الأطلسي “الناتو” التوقيع على اتفاقية حول التعاون في المسائل العسكرية والأمنية بين حكومة دولة قطر ممثلة في القوات المسلحة القطرية ، ومنظمة حلف شمال الأطلسي (الناتو)، وذلك بمقر الحلف في بروكسل .
وقع الاتفاقية سعادة الشيخ محمد بن عبدالرحمن آل ثاني نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الخارجية وسعادة السيدة روز كوتامولر نائبة الأمين العام لحلف الناتو.
حضر التوقيع أصحاب السعادة أعضاء الوفد الرسمي المرافق.
كما حضرها عدد من كبار المسؤولين العسكريين من الجانبين.
