Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi (left), Secretary-General of EEAS of the European Union H E Stefano Sannino (centre) and Ambassador of Qatar to EU and NATO H E Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Malki (right) inaugurating the new headquarters of Qatar’s mission to the European Union and NATO in Brussels.
Brusssels: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi on Thursday inaugurated the new headquarters of the State of Qatar’s mission to the European Union and NATO in Brussels.
The opening ceremony was attended by Secretary-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) of the European Union H E Stefano Sannino, and Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) H E Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Malki, and a number of Their Excellencies officials of the European Union and NATO.
Heads of diplomatic missions and permanent delegates of the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and the Arab countries to the Kingdom of Belgium, the European Union and NATO too joined the celebration.
Al Muraikhi, in a speech during the ceremony, expressed his happiness to participate in the opening ceremony of the new headquarters of the State of Qatar’s mission to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), considering that this opening is evidence of the common will to further strengthen relations and continue fruitful cooperation.
He noted that the distinguished relations between the State of Qatar and the European Union have reached a high level through the signing of the agreement to establish the European Union delegation in the State of Qatar and its inauguration last September.
He said that the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Qatari mission represented a great boost in the process of Qatari-European relations, moving them towards a new stage of cooperation between the two sides, and upgrading relations in all fields.
His Excellency also pointed out that relations between the two sides have recently witnessed a remarkable development on more than one level through the exchange of visits that culminated in the conclusion of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding. He stressed the commitment of the State of Qatar to more effective and constructive cooperation with international institutions and all actors operating in Brussels.
He highlighted that the European Union and NATO have always been of great importance to the State of Qatar as they are the two organisations in which decisions are made and policies are formed.
He added, that the European Union and NATO are Qatar’s partners, and the State of Qatar is keen to work with partners for the benefit of countries and peoples, and Qatar looks forward to more to develop these relations.
Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) H E Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Malki welcomed the guests of honour and attendees.
He said the new headquarters of the mission not only represents a new beginning for a new era, but is an extension of its efforts for more than a year since the issuance of the Amiri decision to separate the mission from the embassy.
He noted that it was a year full of hard work, bilateral visits, mutual activities and great achievements represented in the signing of important agreements.
He also affirmed Qatar’s keenness to strengthen relations with the European Union and NATO, expressing his wishes that the coming period will be full of work and success.
Secretary-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) of the European Union Stefano Sannino, explained that the opening of the new headquarters of the State of Qatar’s mission to the European Union expresses the great will of the two parties to strengthen and develop their relations and raise them to the level of ambitions.
He praised the efforts of the State of Qatar and its continuous support and cooperation with the European Union in various fields. During the ceremony, a video showing the participations of officials from the European Union and NATO was displayed, as well as a video about Qatari-European relations and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
