Joint press conference of His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and HE President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic following their meeting at the Amiri Diwan:
HH The Amir welcomed HE the President and expressed his delight at the visit, which strengthens the strong and historic relations between the State of Qatar and the French Republic. HH The Amir explained that he and the French President discussed in their bilateral discussions the problems that the region is going through and how to find solutions for them.
They also discussed the issue of combating terrorism and its financing, with HH The Amir stressing that there will be follow-up to this issue, pointing out that several important agreements have been signed which will help enhance the distinguished relations between the two countries.
HH The Amir affirmed that the visit of the French President is successful, highlighting its importance for both countries.
Asked about allegations that the State of Qatar is harboring terrorism suspects and the agreements on combating the financing of terrorism that the State of Qatar recently signed with the U.S. State Department, HH The Amir said that the State of Qatar is interested in combating terrorism and that a lot of information circulating in some newspapers about Qatar's association with terrorism are "false and incorrect."
HH The Amir said that the State of Qatar has recently taken some measures in combating the financing of terrorism, pointing out that the State of Qatar with its sisters in the region and friends in the world are united in the fight against terrorism because the Arab and Muslim countries are the first victim of this phenomenon.
In response to a question about the blockade imposed on Qatar, HH The Amir said that Qatar's position has been clear from the beginning to solve the problem -if it exists at all- among the neighbors through dialogue, and to speak frankly and discuss points of disagreement through dialogue, expressing regret for the continuation of the blockade by the brothers, which started in the month of Ramadan and led to the dispersion of families. HH The Amir stressed that the dignity and sovereignty of the State of Qatar come before any consideration, reiterating Qatar's readiness to solve the difference if the brothers have the will to solve it on clear and acceptable basis without tampering with the sovereignty of any party.
HH The Amir added that the Qatari people have the right to know the reasons for the blockade and the violence exercised by the neighbors because everyone and all Gulf peoples are affected, reiterating the desire to solve the problem but not at the expense of the dignity and sovereignty of Qatar.
For his part, the French President thanked HH The Amir and expressed his pleasure to visit Qatar for the first time after the telephone conversations between the two leaders and after HH The Amir's visit to Paris in September, pointing out that the relationship between France and Qatar is not new and is characterized by economic, cultural, sport and strategic relations, which is evident at Al Udeid Base that has allowed the presence of a number of French troops for about 15 years to participate in the fight against terrorism.
HE the French President said that the first topic of the visit is the fight against terrorism, which is one of the main priorities in the joint work between the two countries. In this regard, he said France and Qatar have decided to sign a letter of intent and a roadmap to strengthen the fight against terrorism and extremism, pointing out that France will organize an international conference to be held in Paris in April 2018. He added that he relies on Qatar's participation in this regard.
HE the President affirmed that the Gulf security and stability constitute a priority for France, stressing his support for the mediation efforts of Kuwait, hoping that a quick solution to this issue will be reached.
The President said the talks dealt with the regional situation, especially in Libya and the return of peace and stability through the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ghassan Salame.
Asked about the U.S. president's declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, HE the French President said that this is a unilateral decision by the United States, pointing out that he disagrees with the decision because it violates international law and the United Nations Security Council resolutions. He added that France will reiterate its position at the Security Council that the status of Jerusalem is a matter of international peace and is related to the international community, and that the solution must be the result of negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians.
Asked about the role of Iran in the region, the French President stressed the need to maintain the nuclear agreement because it is useful even though it does not solve all the problems, highlighting the importance of establishing a strategic dialogue with Iran as a regional power as well as putting a framework for its presence in the region.