Doha – Information Office – 20 December
Qatar's diplomatic, consular and representative missions abroad continued to celebrate National Day under the theme of "promise of prosperity and glory", which falls on 18 December each year to commemorate the founder Sheikh Jassem bin Mohammed bin Thani.
HE Ambassador of Qatar to Romania Abdullah Nasser Al Humaidi held a reception on the occasion of Qatar National Day. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Globalization Affairs, Advisor of the Romanian President for Defense Affairs, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Romanian Parliamentary Friendship Group with State of Qatar Mirela Furtuna, along with a number of ranking officials and head of missions accredited by the State.
In Moscow HE Ambassador of Qatar to Russia Fahad Bin Mohammed Al Attiyah held a reception ceremony on the occasion of Qatar National Day. The ceremony was attended by a host of political, economic, and cultural Russian personalities. His Excellency gave an overview of the National Day of the State of Qatar, and called on the attendees to visit the country and enjoy the many experiences it offers. The celebration came on the eve of the launch of the Qatari-Russian cultural year. It included a special pavilion on the World Cup 2022, and another one for the State of Qatar.
In Warsaw, HE Qatar's Ambassador to Poland held a reception ceremony on the occasion of Qatar National Day. The event was attended by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Krzysztof Jurgiel, Minister of Health Konstanty Radziwill, Deputy Minister of Finance, Director-General of the Ministry of Energy, along with a number of high ranking officials and representatives of diplomatic missions accredited by the state.
HE the ambassador praised the strong bilateral ties the two sides enjoy, and highlighted that they've seen a marked improvement in recent years on all levels. He stressed on the strength of the State of Qatar and its ability to overcome the siege, evident by the economic growth the country is witnessing despite the siege and the contribution the country continues to make internationally and regionally.
In Santo Domingo, HE Qatar's Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Khamis Buti Rashid Al Suhooti held a reception ceremony on the occasion of Qatar National Day. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Ruben Dario Paulino, as well as a number of ranking officials, MPs, representatives of the armed forces and leading political and media figures in the country. HE the Ambassador explained the relevance of Qatar national day as one were the people renew their trust in their leadership. His Excellency also praised the achievements of the State of Qatar in different fields. HE the ambassador highlighted that Qatar's foreign policy principles were represented in achieving the road map placed by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, particularly when it comes to the country's role in mediation and resolving conflicts. In addition to the country's efforts in maintaining peace, security, and respecting human rights, His Excellency added.
In Hanoi, HE Qatar's Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mohammed Ismael Al Emadi held a reception ceremony on the occasion of Qatar National Day. The ceremony was attended by the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, a number of ranking officials, and head of diplomatic missions accredited by the state. A number of members of the Arab communities there attended the ceremony as well.
In San Jose, HE Qatar's Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica Mohammed Bin Kurdi Taleb Al Marri held a reception ceremony on the occasion of Qatar National Day. The event was attended by HE Minister of Communications will be Mauricio Herrera Ulloa, HE Vice Chancellor of the Republic of Costa Rica Alejandro Solano Ortiz, HE Minister of Labor and Social Security Alfredo Hasbum Camacho, along with a number of ranking officials at the state and head of diplomatic missions accredited by Costa Rica. There were also a number of MPs, leaders of the business community and intellectuals.
HE Ortiz congratulated the State of Qatar on its national day, wishing it further success and prosperity in the future. For his part, HE the ambassador explained the details of the unjust siege the State of Qatar has been subjected to since June 5. His Excellency also stressed on the development in bilateral relations between Qatar and Costa Rica in all fields.
In Buenos Aires, HE Qatar's Ambassador to Argentina Fahad bin Ibrahim Al Hamad Al Mana held a reception ceremony on the occasion of Qatar National Day. A number of ranking officials from Argentina, along with a host of intellectuals and academics as well as local and international institutions focused on human rights. Ambassadors accredited by the State also attended the ceremony. HE the ambassador expressed his appreciation to the efforts of both the Qatari and Argentinian leadership in advancing ties.
In Colombo, HE Qatar's Ambassador to Sri Lanka Rashid Bin Shafie Al Fahida Al Merri held a reception ceremony on the occasion of Qatar National Day. A number of ministers, MPS, heads of Arab and foreign delegations accredited by the state attended the ceremony. The event featured presentations on the biggest achievements of the State of Qatar under the leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
In Washington, HE Qatar's Ambassador to U.S Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad Al-Thani hosted a reception on the occasion of Qatar National Day.
The function was attended by US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, House of Representative's Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senator Chris Coons of Delaware State and over a thousand people including officials diplomats, businessmen, media men and intellects in addition to Qatari citizens and student in the US. The function reflected the importance of the Qatar-US relations.
in his speech at the ceremony, HE the Ambassador noted the close relations and partnership between Qatar and the US, stressing that the aspects of this partnership have been strengthened during this year, especially cooperation in the fight against terrorists and their sources of funding, in addition to the US-Qatar joint military exercises and operations. These relationships have also been strengthened in the areas of trade, investment and culture, he added.
"Qatar continues to implement its National Vision 2030 and moves ahead with its economic, social and human development goals," HE Sheikh Mishaal said.
For his part, Senator Coons said he was grateful for the US-Qatar partnership in addressing common challenges, including terrorism, throughout the Middle East. He added that US diplomats and commanders praise Qatar's cooperation and valuable role as a security partner. Senator Coons also thanked the State of Qatar for its "good efforts" to resolve conflicts in the Gulf region.
HE Nancy Pelosi focused on cultural, educational, investment and other relations between Qatar and the United States, referring to her numerous trips to Qatar.
She stressed the security cooperation between the two countries saying that the national security of the two countries is the most important aspect of cooperation. She also thanked the State of Qatar for hosting two US military bases, comprising 11,000 US troops and a counterterrorism operations center tackling terrorism in the region countries, including Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
"US-Qatari relations are very important," she said. "Let's all work to make them stronger."
HEUS Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin who attended the ceremony, met earlier with HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud, CEO of Qatar Investment Authority in Washington. The meeting focused on increasing investments between the two countries. Qatar has already allocated 45 billion dollars for investments in United State.
HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Malaysia Issa Mohammed Al Mannai, held a reception on the occasion of Qatar National Day in Kuala Lumpur.
Over 400 people attended the function, led by HE Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Shahidan bin Kassim, representing the Malaysian government along with a number of senior government officials, foreign ministry departments' directors, representatives of different ministries and government bodies, businessmen, media men, academics, members of Arab communities in Malaysia and a number of ambassadors and members of diplomatic missions accredited to Malaysia.
In Addis Ababa, HE Qatar's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union Abdulaziz bin Sultan Al Rumaihi held a reception on the occasion of the National Day of the State of Qatar.
The ceremony was attended by the Director of the Middle East department in Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry as the 'Guest of Honor' in addition to senior officials, heads and members of diplomatic missions, officials from the African Union and regional and international organizations, businessmen, media men and community dignitaries.
During the ceremony, the Director of the Middle East Department of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed his country's congratulations to Qatar on the occasion of the National Day.
In his speech, the Qatari Ambassador welcomed the attendance at the National Day ceremony.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, the Embassy set up a tent and a pavilion to introduce the traditional heritage and food of the State of Qatar.
In Ankara, HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Turkey Salim bin Mubarak Al Shafi held a reception on the occasion of Qatar National Day.
The function was attended by about a thousand people lead by HE Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek, along with Their Excellences the Ministers of Economy Nihat Zeybekci, Development Lutfi Elvan and Health Ahmed Demircan. Senior parliamentary and government officials also attended the ceremony along with representatives of diplomatic missions businessmen, media men and scores of Turkish citizens.
Speaking at the ceremony, HE the Ambassador of Qatar said that 2017 was a challenging year, but it was also a year full of opportunities for the State of Qatar. He Pointed out that many parties tried to put obstruct Qatar's progress and success, but they failed in their desperate attempts, especially the siege countries, which did not respect any customs or values or neighborliness.
He also pointed out that the Qatari-Turkish relations "proved once again that they are able to successfully overcome common challenges."
HE the Ambassador thanked the leadership and people of Turkey for the continuous support, praising the Qatari-Turkish relations.
For his part, HE Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, Mehmet Simsek, congratulated the State of Qatar on celebrating the National Day, pointing out that Turkey will seek to "continue good relations with the friendly and sisterly State of Qatar". He added that Turkey's relationship with Qatar is at a distinct level, and that there is a great acceleration in the field of trade and mutual investment. "Turkish-Qatari relations, are built on a strong ground that will allow further taking relations and trade to a higher level," he added.
"The year 2017 was very difficult, but in cooperation with Qatar, we thwarted the destructive plots , and at the same time we worked this year to establish peace throughout the region," he said stressing that through continuous communication between the leaders of the two countries, relations between the two sides reached the highest level during the past years.
The celebration of Qatar National Day is the largest in Turkey, in terms of the level of participation and official representation, among Arab and foreign embassies. The ceremony was widely heard in the Turkish press, which covered the event intensively.
In Croatia, HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Croatia, Sheikha Moza bint Nassir bin Ahmed Al-Thani, held a reception ceremony on the occasion of the National Day of the State of Qatar in the capital, Zagreb.
HE Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Mirko Sundov, attended the ceremony along with HE Mayor of Zagreb Milan Bandic; HE State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Zdravka Busic; Ambassador of Vatican and head of the diplomatic corps in the Republic of Croatia, Nuncio Giuseppe Pinto; HE Assistant Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Vice Skracic; HE Assistant Foreign Minister for International Legal Affairs, Toma Galli; HE Adviser to the President for Foreign and European Policy, Dario Mihelin; HE Assistant Defense Minister for Defense Policy, Petar Mihatov; HE Assistant Interior Minister at the Directorate for Development, Equipment and Support, Damir Trut; HE former President Dr. Ivo Josipovic; HE former Speaker of Parliament Josip Leko; HE former Interior Minister Ranko Ostojic; HE director of the office of the parliament speaker; and a number of senior state officials in the Republic of Croatia, the Vatican and the Italian Republic.
Croatian political, economic, cultural, intellectual and scientific figures attended the ceremony as well as members of the Arab and foreign diplomatic corps accredited to the Republic of Croatia and members of the Arab and Muslim communities living in the Republic of Croatia.
The guests congratulated the State of Qatar on its national day and expressed their gratitude and greetings to the government and people of Qatar, highlighting the pioneering role of the State of Qatar at the Arab, regional and international levels under the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
In the same regard, the Municipality of Zagreb celebrated the National Day of the State of Qatar by displaying the flag of the State of Qatar, its national emblem and images of HH the Emir in a distinctive artistic manner with bright lights on the water flowing from the highest fountain in the public square in central Zagreb.
The kind initiative reflects the friendship ties between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Croatia as well as cooperation between the embassy and all the society segments and official and public institutions.
Zagreb is the first European capital to celebrate the State of Qatar's National Day in such a joyful way, reflecting the distinguished relations of friendship between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Croatia.
Meanwhile, Acting Charge d'Affaires at the State of Qatar's Embassy in the Republic of Paraguay, Abdurahman Ahmed Al Suwaidi, organized a reception ceremony in Asuncion to mark the State of Qatar's National Day.
HE Director for Asia, Africa and Oceana at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norma Cardozo, attended the ceremony along with a number of members of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, political leaders, community dignitaries, government officials, chairman of Petroleos Paraguayos, president of the Paraguayan Industrial Union, in addition to a number of intellectuals, businessmen, heads of non-government organizations, and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Paraguay.
The acting charge d'affaires stressed in a speech the importance of enhancing cooperation prospects with the friendly Republic of Paraguay and the significance of exchanged visits between the two countries. He also touched on the crisis of the unjust siege imposed on the State of Qatar and stressed Doha's keenness on its independence and sovereignty.
In Jordan, Acting Charge d'Affaires at the State of Qatar's Embassy in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Abdullah bin Salem Al Nuaimi, held a reception ceremony in Amman on the occasion of the National Day of the State of Qatar.