Doha - Media & Communication Dept. - February 07

Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammad Al Ansari stressed that the launch of the first flight of the airlift by the State of Qatar in support of Turkey to address the catastrophic earthquake, and in implementation of the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani reflects the readiness of Qatar to stand in solidarity with the sisterly Republic of Turkey.
During the weekly media briefing organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, Dr. Al Ansari stressed the support of the State of Qatar and its standing by the Republic of Turkey, noting that the airlift included a team of more than 120 personnel from the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), equipped with specialized machinery for search and rescue operations. The first flight of the airlift also included three field hospitals, relief aid, tents, medical kits, and foodstuff. In addition, 20 vehicles on board four planes and 10,000 mobile homes to alleviate the suffering of the earthquake victims will be shipped gradually to affected areas as soon as possible, along with additional varied assistance from Qatar's civil society led by Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and Qatar Charity (QC), which immediately started their work through their offices in Turkey.
He pointed out that the Qatari team is highly experienced in that field, as they have carried out many similar operations in different countries. Dr. Al Ansari said that Qatar's stance regarding supporting the fraternal Republic of Turkey and the affected areas in northern Syria is an expression of supportive solidarity in such conditions, calling on all countries, institutions, and associations to get involved in such situations.
He noted that Qatar's role has emerged since the moment of the occurrence of the devastating earthquake through holding communications with the Turkish officials, offering condolences to the fraternal people of Turkey, and expressing its readiness to stand by the Republic of Turkey in this affliction. He affirmed the continuation of Qatar's role during the coming period in coordination with the Turkish side according to the priorities, given that most of the affected areas are within Turkey or in the northern regions, and therefore Turkey is leading the relief efforts.
Regarding the Qatari citizens in Turkey, Al Ansari indicated the readiness of Qatar's embassy in Ankara and the consulate in Istanbul to provide any needed support to the Qatari citizens by the official diplomatic teams to ensure their safety, stressing that Qatar's embassy has not received any reports regarding any occurred damage for Qatari citizens.
Regarding the relations with the United States of America, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani will visit the USA tomorrow (Wednesday), stressing that the visit includes meetings with a number of American officials, led by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and other officials. He pointed out that these repeated meetings between the two sides indicate the depth of partnership and strategic relation ahead of the remaining sessions of the Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue in Doha by the end of February.
The 5th Round of Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue was held on Feb. 2 in Doha, where HE Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi chaired the Qatari side, while HE Under Secretary of the US State Department for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland chaired the American side during the session. The session dealt with the close strategic relations between the two countries and ways to support and develop them, and the latest regional and international developments, especially developments in the Iranian nuclear file, security and energy issues, as well as the latest developments in Libya, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, and the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
On the other hand, Dr. Majed bin Mohammad Al Ansari noted that HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani will deliver a recorded speech at the activities of the United Nations Economic and Social Council on the Program of Action for the Least Developed Countries as an accelerator for the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, pointing out that this comes in preparation for the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), scheduled to be held in Doha from March 5-9, in completion of the Doha Program of Action for the Least Developed Countries. He pointed out that HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs will talk about the efforts made by the State of Qatar as an effective strategic partner in response to challenges and needs, especially in the most vulnerable societies, and stress Qatar's role and contributions to various initiatives that had a positive impact on the lives of millions of people around the world.
He also noted that HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs held a phone call with HE Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Jassim Mohummad Al Budaiwi on the occasion of assuming his duties. During the phone call, the two sides exchanged views on the march of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the latest regional developments.
For his part, Director of Media and Communication Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi reviewed the meetings of the Ministry's officials with ambassadors and diplomats. He pointed out that HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received copies of the credentials of HE Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Mohammad Nazrul Islam, and HE Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines Lillibeth Velasco Pono. His Excellency also bid farewell to HE Ambassador of the Republic of Niger to Qatar Mubarak Hassan Boubacar on the occasion of the end of his tenure in the country.
In the same regard, Al Hashmi noted the meeting of HE Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater with HE Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Qatar Dr. Mustafa Goksu, where they discussed bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and develop them, along with several issues of common interest. Her Excellency also met with HE US Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights Rina Amiri, and HE Charge d'Affaires of the US Mission to Afghanistan Karen Decker, where they discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan, and the results of the Afghan Women's Conference organized by the State of Qatar in cooperation with the Republic of Indonesia in December 2022, in addition to ways to support the Afghan people, especially their right to education.
He said that HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater also met with HE UK Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa and Red Sea Sarah Montgomery, during her visit to Qatar, where they discussed joint cooperation between the two countries, the latest developments in the Horn of Africa, and ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the field of development and humanitarian aid in countries of the Horn of Africa.
He also pointed out to the recently held first political consultation committee meeting between the Foreign Ministry of the State of Qatar and the Foreign Ministry of the Arab Republic of Egypt, where the latest Arab and international developments and several issues of common interest, particularly the Palestinian cause were discussed.
Regarding the Afghani developments, the Director of Media and Communication Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out to the visit of HE Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani to Afghanistan and his meetings with several officials in the Afghan Caretaker Government. The meetings dealt with the most important developments in Afghanistan, especially in politics, economy, development, and education. HE Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution reiterated Qatar's position supporting all segments of the Afghan people to obtain all their rights, particularly the right to education, especially for girls, and respect for women's right to work, stressing the continuation of Qatar's endeavors to support and facilitate efforts to reach a comprehensive political consensus that achieves security and stability in Afghanistan.