Vienna / Information Office / September 12

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met on Wednesday with HE Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs Karin Kneissl, during his official visit to Austria.

The meeting discussed bilateral relations and ways of strengthening and developing them, in addition to a number of topics of common concern.

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed in a joint press conference with HE Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs after the meeting, that the State of Qatar aspires to develop bilateral relations, especially in the fields of development, research, technology, and education.

HE Austrian Minister affirmed the convergence of views on a number of issues that have been put forward.

In response to a reporter's question about the humanitarian dimensions of the Gulf crisis, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the State of Qatar has been negotiating with the United Nations Human Rights Committee for more than a year to find an international mechanism to guarantee the rights of citizens of the State of Qatar and prevent the violation of their rights.

Regarding developments in Syria, His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar is closely monitoring the developments in Idlib, calling for the provision of international guarantees for the protection of civilians.