Category: Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

 

His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;

 His Excellency Mr. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the friendly Republic of France;

 His Excellency the Secretary-General of the United Nations;

 His Excellency the President of the General Assembly;

 Your Excellencies;

Distinguished attendees;

I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to His Excellency President Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, and to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for their joint initiative in organizing this historic conference under the auspices of the United Nations. This conference addresses one of the prolonged issues of peace and security, and one of the last remaining manifestations of colonial injustice on the international agenda.

Distinguished attendees,

Although this conference represents a glimmer of hope, we are navigating a critical juncture in the region, amidst a devastating war waged by Israel on the Gaza Strip for two years and an escalating humanitarian crisis affecting over two million individuals, the majority of whom are women and children.

In one of the most harrowing and painful moments of this tragedy, we witnessed scenes that represent a disgrace to humanity as a whole—civilians, weakened by starvation and siege, killed while standing in queues waiting for a loaf of bread, a bag of flour, or a meal to sustain their children. What future can be built upon the corpses of the starving queues? And what peace can emerge amidst this level of starvation, humiliation, and killing?

In the face of this catastrophic situation, the State of Qatar has spared no effort in undertaking diplomatic endeavors to halt the bloodshed of innocent lives, alleviate their suffering, and secure the release of hostages and detainees. The State of Qatar, based on its unwavering stance, has condemned all forms of targeting civilians. However, we categorically reject double standards, as a human is a human, and a child is a child. No one has the right to discriminate against innocent people and their right to life based on political, racial, or other grounds.

The matter has reached the point where the normalization of using starvation and targeting hospitals as methods of warfare has become a precedent that can no longer be accepted, as if it has turned into a routine practice in every conflict. The State of Qatar reiterates its unequivocal rejection of the use of food as a tool of pressure or a weapon in conflicts, and strongly condemns the policies of blockade and forced displacement being practiced against innocent civilians, as well as the repeated targeting of hospitals, shelters for displaced persons, and vital facilities, in blatant violation of international law.

Excellencies, 

The mediation efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar, in partnership with the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America, have yielded tangible results, manifested in the delivery of substantial quantities of aid and the release of hundreds of hostages and detainees from both sides.

Despite recurring obstacles, attempts to undermine the humanitarian trajectory, and the demonization of the efforts of mediating states, our efforts continue with the aim of achieving an immediate ceasefire, paving the way towards the end of the crisis, and the initiation of recovery and reconstruction efforts. This necessitates that all parties exhibit a sense of responsibility and support all initiatives aimed at achieving this goal. 

Distinguished attendees, 

The war against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip has not only resulted in unprecedented suffering for innocent civilians, but has also undermined the credibility of international law and the universal values upon which the institutions of the international community have been founded since the Second World War.

On the other hand, it has proved that policies of force have failed, and will continue to fail, in liquidating the Palestinian cause. All that such policies have achieved is the exacerbation of further tragedies, bitterness, feelings of injustice, and scenes of killing and destruction that will remain etched in the memory of peoples across the globe. The calamities caused by the war and its political failure underscore the necessity of achieving a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian cause. The key lies in acknowledging the injustice inflicted upon the Palestinian people and implementing justice that has been delayed for approximately eighty years.

Driven by its unwavering commitment to peace, the State of Qatar reaffirms its full support for the objectives of this conference and its dedication to playing an active role in ensuring its success and promoting opportunities for a peaceful resolution in the Middle East.

In this context, the State of Qatar, in collaboration with Canada and Mexico, co-chaired the third working group of the conference, which focused on the theme of “Peace Narratives.” This group addressed significant topics and concluded with priority principles and proposals aimed at achieving the overarching goal of the conference. To create an enabling environment for sustainable peace, there is a pressing need to promote positive narratives that support peace between both sides, grounded in the rejection of violence, the refusal of incitement rhetoric, and the countering of attempts to dehumanize the other party.

Distinguished attendees, 

The State of Qatar reaffirms its steadfast position in supporting the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian cause in accordance with the principles of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions, based on the two-state solution as the only viable option for putting an end to the conflict and achieving the just and comprehensive peace.

From this standpoint, Qatar calls for a clear and unified international stance that rejects all practices that serve to obstruct negotiations and opportunities for achieving just and comprehensive peace. In this context, we welcome the recognition of the State of Palestine by several states, within the borders of June 4, 1967, encompassing the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, as we firmly believe that this constitutes a fundamental step toward achieving regional and international security and stability.

We also welcome the commitment of the friendly French Republic to recognize the State of Palestine next September.

Distinguished attendees, 

The convening of this conference embodies a collective will of the international community to translate words into actions and to seriously contribute towards advancing the trajectory of the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian cause in all its dimensions. The international community bears a pivotal role in creating the appropriate conditions for reaching a permanent and just solution, by restoring the credibility of international legitimacy following this horrific war and providing the necessary political, economic, and humanitarian support.

We hope that this conference will serve as a turning point leading to tangible commitments that go beyond statements and positions, and pave the way for practical steps toward implementing the two-state solution, in a way that ensures a just, comprehensive, and lasting resolution to the conflict, and contributes to the establishment of peace, security, and stability across the entire region.

Thank you,

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Cairo, August 28

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani affirmed Thursday the State of Qatar and the Arab Republic of Egypt’s commitment to reaching a solution that ends the Israeli war on Gaza, despite all attempts to distort, disrupt, and undermine these efforts.

His Excellency stressed that without the bilateral partnership between the two countries and the scale of their efforts, the previous ceasefire agreement in the Strip would not have been achieved.

His Excellency made these remarks during a joint press conference with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt Badr Abdel Aatty, held on the sidelines of the Sixth Session of the Qatari-Egyptian Joint Higher Committee in Cairo.

His Excellency stated that the international community must exert pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and to stop the famine currently affecting the Palestinian people, expressing hope for a ceasefire agreement to be reached as soon as possible.

His Excellency noted that his visit to Cairo comes within the framework of the Committee’s sixth session and reflects the vision of both countries’ leadership to deepen bilateral relations, which have witnessed remarkable development in recent years, adding that the recent visit of HE President of the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah El Sisi to the State of Qatar was a significant milestone in advancing these relations.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the Committee’s discussions covered various files and issues, confirming the alignment of views between Qatar and Egypt on many regional matters.

His Excellency emphasized their joint efforts to de-escalate tensions in several Arab countries, including the sisterly Republic of Lebanon, the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic, and the sisterly Republic of Sudan.

He also highlighted that Lebanon and Syria are witnessing irresponsible Israeli actions that threaten the security of the entire region, unfortunately without any deterrent response.

In another context, His Excellency underscored the strong fraternal ties between Qatar and Egypt, rooted in solid relations between the two peoples and leaderships, as well as the economic foundations currently being built to establish a new phase of joint economic cooperation.

His Excellency reviewed the package of direct Qatari investments in Egypt previously announced in Doha, amounting to approximately USD 7.5 billion, noting that several bilateral agreements and projects will be finalized in the coming weeks.

His Excellency praised the growth in trade volume between the two countries and looked forward to further expansion in the future, emphasizing that joint cooperation is not limited to the economic field but also includes cultural, agricultural, social solidarity, and societal transformation sectors.

His Excellency considered the memoranda of understanding signed today with the Egyptian side an important step toward diversifying the base of cooperation between the two countries.

His Excellency underlined that there is a valuable opportunity for consultation between the two countries, which has not stopped and is not limited to joint meetings, but also continues through daily communications.

His Excellency commended the scale of efforts made by both sides to reach a halt to the genocide being inflicted on the Palestinian people in Gaza, adding that it is shameful that these conditions have persisted for months without any action from the international community, appreciating the partnership with the United States and all efforts by sisterly Arab and Islamic countries that support the Qatari and Egyptian initiatives.

His Excellency also explained during the joint press conference that the past period witnessed intensive work to reach common ground for an agreement on the release of hostages and detainees, the exchange of prisoners, and a ceasefire as a prelude to ending the war. However, these efforts were unfortunately met with further disregard.

His Excellency affirmed the great responsibility that lies with the international community to act in ending the famine and siege affecting the Palestinian people in Gaza.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that the Committee also discussed developments in the Iranian nuclear file, which represents a critical security issue for all countries in the region, underscoring the importance of reaching a diplomatic solution that ensures regional stability, which cannot be achieved through war but through diplomatic means.

His Excellency called on Arab countries and regional states to cooperate in reaching such solutions.

HE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt Dr. Badr Abdel Aatty affirmed that the Sixth Session of the Qatari-Egyptian Joint Higher Committee witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding, most notably a cooperation agreement in the field of social insurance between Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity and the General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority of Qatar, in addition to a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the agricultural sector between the two brotherly countries.

During the conference, His Excellency announced the launch of a political consultation mechanism between the foreign ministries of both countries, as well as the signing of the minutes of the sixth session of the Committee, which saw broad ministerial participation from both sides, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, the Minister of Social Solidarity, and the Minister of Agriculture on the Egyptian side.

His Excellency said that the convening of this session and its outcomes was a reflection of the commitment of both Qatar and Egypt to build on the results of the previous committee meeting, hosted in Doha in 2024, and the subsequent reciprocal high-level visits.

His Excellency noted that the discussions addressed ways to enhance and develop bilateral relations.

His Excellency also pointed to an increase in excess of 54% in trade exchange between the two countries over the past year, in addition to Qatar’s commitment to inject investments in Egypt amounting to $7.5 billion, with work underway on specific projects to be announced in the coming weeks.

His Excellency said that the Egyptian side presented promising investment opportunities and legislative and procedural reforms adopted by Egypt to facilitate the work of investors, including Qatari investors.

He affirmed the commitment to empowering the private sector in both countries and enhancing its role in supporting the economy and development, confirming that the coming phase will witness the flow of more Qatari investments into priority sectors, including agriculture, food security, real estate development, tourism and hospitality, transport and logistics, industrial localization, and renewable energy.

Regarding regional and international issues, His Excellency said that the discussions addressed developments in the Palestinian cause, affirming the alignment of Qatari and Egyptian views on the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ensuring full access to humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages and a number of Palestinian detainees, paving the way for a permanent end to the aggression and a comprehensive political settlement that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the Jun. 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

His Excellency also stressed, during the joint press conference, the firm rejection by both countries of any attempts at the forced displacement of the Palestinian people, considering it a red line that cannot be accepted under any pretext.

He noted the continued Qatari-Egyptian efforts, in coordination with the United States and regional and international parties, to reach an agreement for a sixty-day ceasefire during which negotiations would be held to end the war, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, and prepare for an early recovery and reconstruction conference for Gaza, with the participation of the State of Qatar.

HE Dr. Badr Abdel Aatty highlighted that the discussions also covered the situations in Sudan, Libya, Syria, and Lebanon, in addition to developments in the Red Sea region, freedom of navigation, and the Iranian nuclear file, affirming the alignment of Qatari and Egyptian positions on these issues and their commitment to resolving them through peaceful means, away from military solutions. 

Source: Government of Qatar

Cairo, August 28, 2025

The sixth session of the Joint Higher Committee between the State of Qatar and the Arab Republic of Egypt was held on Thursday in Cairo.

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani chaired Qatar’s delegation at the session, while HE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdelatty led the Egyptian side.

The session discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, particularly in the fields of economy, investment, diplomacy, social affairs, agriculture, and food security.

In this regard, the two sides reiterated their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations in various fields, thus strengthening joint Arab action.

Key regional developments were also discussed, especially the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed the continuation of coordination between the two countries within the framework of joint mediation to end the war on Gaza, ensure the protection of civilians, release prisoners and hostages, and facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid to address the catastrophic conditions in the Strip.

In this context, the two sides addressed the new ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip, recently presented by the mediators. They noted that the Israeli side has not yet provided an official response, despite the proposal representing an opportunity to release prisoners and hostages, halt the aggression, and ensure the urgent and safe flow of humanitarian aid to the Strip, in a framework consistent with the proposals put forward by the US President’s envoy to the Middle East.

The two sides condemned the continued Israeli aggression, the expansion of military operations, the continued policy of starvation in Gaza, and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. They emphasized that these flagrant violations of international law will further complicate the situation, exacerbate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza, undermine security and stability in the region, and undermine the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace.

The two sides also discussed the developments in Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Libya, Lebanon, the Horn of Africa, and the Red Sea, as well as developments related to the Iranian nuclear file. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed the State of Qatar’s support for regional and international efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability in Arab countries, thus enhancing security and consolidating peace in the region.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed for cooperation in the field of social insurance and pensions between the General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority and the National Organization for Social Insurance of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Another MoU was also signed for cooperation in the field of agriculture and food security between the governments of Qatar and Egypt. An MoU was also signed to establish a political consultation mechanism between the two countries’ foreign ministries, in addition to the minutes of the sixth session of the Joint Higher Committee.

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar