French President Nicolas Sarkozy has hailed ties between France and Qatar as “long-standing and ideal” and based on partnership in several spheres. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Sarkozy welcomed the upcoming visit by the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to France from June 22 to 24. The visit shows the consolidated ties of friendship between the two countries, said Sarkozy. At the political level, Sarkozy said French-Qatari ties had developed and the two countries hold talks and consultations on various issues. As for the Darfur issue, the president expressed France’s commitment to supporting Qatari efforts aimed at bringing peace to the devastated territory. Cooperation between France and Qatar is strategic and the two countries are linked by a defence pact since 1994. Sarkozy said Qatari-French economic relations were prospering and noted that an increasing number of French firms were operating in Qatar. Sarkozy stressed the need for boosting bilateral cooperation in the cultural and scientific domains. He also praised Qatari efforts aimed at empowering women in the political, economic and social spheres. In this regard, he hailed the personal commitment of the Emir as well as H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned’s efforts in promoting educational projects being implemented by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF). France would provide full support to QF, the French president said. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ambassador to France, Mohamed Jiham Al Kuwari, said ties between Qatar and France had gone beyond traditional cooperation and focused on the fields of education, culture, arts and future technology. “The relations between the two countries are based on shared values and have become institutional,” he said. France is looking at Qatar as a potential partner in gas development projects worldwide and a major importer of French nuclear technology, electric materials, arms and security equipment. Qatar, the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, views France as offering investment opportunities to allow the Gulf country to diversify its economy. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=June2009&file=Local_News2009062135959.xml

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