Doha, December 13 (QNA) - HE Ambassador of the French Republic to the State of Qatar Arnaud Pescheux stressed that Qatar National Day (QND) is a meaningful occasion to celebrate the nation’s identity and the spirit of unity that brings its people together, noting that the occasion reflects the journey of a country that has been able to achieve remarkable accomplishments in various fields.

In his statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency pointed out that Qatar has become a key player for dialogue and mediation, noting that Doha is now a world capital of international diplomacy due its active foreign policy and peace initiatives. He also noted that the State of Qatar has spared no effort in many different crises such as Ukraine, Afghanistan or Sudan and foremost Gaza.

France and Qatar are both strongly committed to peace, describing both countries as balancing powers that are committed to respecting international law and upholding the international order in every crisis.

He also noted that Qatar is witnessing a wide-ranging renaissance across various sectors. "I am impressed by its ability to translate ambition into concrete progress, guided by the long-term strategy of the Qatar National Vision 2030," His Excellency the Ambassador said.

On the trajectory of the bilateral relations, he said that ties between France and Qatar are historically-rooted in all areas, including diplomacy, economy, defense and security, culture, and sport.

The strategic partnership between the two countries has grown considerably in recent years, especially after HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's visit in February 2024.

"Qatar is home for more than 6000 French citizens and I know they share a deep sense of belonging," he said, emphasizing that relations between the two peoples are based on mutual respect and joint cooperation.

He explained that the French-Qatari partnership relies on a shared economic ambition and serves the key sectors of our respective economic strategies, Qatar's National Vision 2030 and the French National Plan 2030, including the energy transition, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and healthcare.

"Three words could encapsulate the French-Qatari ties: strategic partnership, trust, and friendship. You can count on me to strengthen our ties even further in the near future," HE Ambassador of the French Republic to the State of Qatar Arnaud Pescheux concluded. (QNA)