Paris: Qatari newspapers focused on Monday on the joint statement issued at the third annual Qatar-France Strategic Dialogue in Paris on June 12, chaired by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and HE Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Noel Barrot. Newspapers highlighted the statement's importance for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and enhancing cooperation to serve security, stability, and prosperity in the region.
According to Qatar News Agency, the editorials also addressed the vital role played by Qatari diplomacy in containing regional escalation, pointing to the contacts held by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs with the foreign ministers of a number of friendly countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The newspapers explained that these diplomatic moves come within the framework of supporting dialogue processes and intensifying regional coordination with the aim of settling outstanding issues through peaceful means, which reflects Qatar's commitment to its role in promoting regional stability.
For its part, Al-Watan newspaper affirmed in its editorial that the joint statement issued at the third annual Qatar-France Strategic Dialogue in Paris on June 12, chaired by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and HE Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, represents a qualitative shift in the course of bilateral relations and establishes a real roadmap towards strengthening joint cooperation. The statement emphasized a set of principles and constants, most notably the two countries' commitment to supporting an international order based on rules and international law, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East, and close cooperation on regional and global crises, the newspaper added.
The statement also addressed developments in Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Sudan, and presented a clear roadmap for restoring security and stability to the entire region, a goal everyone looks forward to with confidence and hope. Al-Watan added that both sides renewed their support for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all remaining hostages and detainees, and a long-term political solution that provides hope to the victims of this conflict on all sides and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution.
In turn, Al-Raya newspaper affirmed that Qatar and France are linked by a strong strategic partnership and relations that are constantly growing and developing, reaching an advanced level of joint coordination on bilateral issues through increased cooperation, especially in the diplomatic, economic and investment fields, and an increase in the volume of trade exchange. Al-Raya noted the content of the joint statement issued by the two countries regarding the third strategic dialogue, which reflected the strength of bilateral relations driven by cooperation in various fields.
In this context, the newspaper pointed out that the joint statement included a review of the progress made regarding Qatar's historic 2024 commitment to invest 10 billion euros in key sectors of the French economy, ranging from food security, digital economy, AI and IT, semiconductors, energy transition, space, intellectual property, health, tourism and hospitality and culture. Al-Raya also highlighted the two sides' discussions on strengthening their partnership in the fields of trade and investment, through a roadmap focusing on strategic areas in line with the framework of the economic diversification goals contained in Qatar National Vision 2030 and in accordance with the France 2030 economic plan.
Concluding its editorial, Al-Raya emphasized the existence of effective Qatari-French coordination on various global issues that directly impact international stability, noting Doha and Paris' shared commitment to supporting an international order based on rules and international law, and working to promote peace, stability, and prosperity, particularly in the Middle East.