Ashraf AboArafe
His Excellency Tariq Ali Faraj Al-Ansari, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Egypt, affirmed that the visit of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, to the State of Qatar contributes to moving the two countries to a new stage of strategic relations with broader horizons. This follows the visit of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, to Egypt in June 2022, and the visit of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Doha on September 13, 2022, and His Excellency’s attendance at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in November of the same year. These visits had a profound impact on strengthening relations between the two countries and opening new horizons of cooperation across a wide range of political and economic issues.
His Excellency Ambassador Al Ansari noted that this visit by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to the State of Qatar, his third to the country, comes at a sensitive time for the Middle East and the Arab world, but one in which bilateral relations between the two countries are witnessing increased interconnectedness, cohesion, and growth in all areas, particularly political, economic, and cultural.
He said that this visit coincides with the accelerating and critical events facing the region, which require coordination, discussion, consultation, and exchange of views on various international and regional issues, especially the Palestinian issue. He noted that both countries are aware of the regional and global challenges and are dealing with them responsibly and honestly.
His Excellency the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Arab Republic of Egypt stressed that the visit of His Excellency the Egyptian President provides a strong boost to the tireless and sincere Egyptian-Qatari efforts, under the leadership of both countries and their pivotal role in negotiation and mediation, to halt the Israeli aggression, consolidate the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and allow the entry of humanitarian, medical, and shelter aid into the Strip. He also emphasized the continuation of joint efforts to coordinate with the American side in connection with mediation efforts. He noted that the two countries share unified positions on Arab, regional, and international issues.
He pointed out that the visit also represents an opportunity to consult on ways to prepare the conditions for reconstruction in Gaza and the success of the Cairo Conference for Early Recovery and Reconstruction, ensuring the continued presence of Palestinians on their lands.
His Excellency went on to say in a related context, “The visit reflects both sides’ desire to continue joint coordination to work towards de-escalation in the region, preventing the region from slipping into further tensions, and the need for joint action between the two sides to reach a political settlement that ensures stability in the region, through the establishment of a Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as a final solution to the conflict.”
His Excellency Mr. Al Ansari affirmed that the visit of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to the State of Qatar is the culmination of the progress made in the work of the fifth session of the Joint Supreme Committee between the State of Qatar and the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt in 2024, to advance political coordination and investment and economic cooperation between the two countries, and to explore investment prospects between the two sides, as Qatari-Egyptian relations have witnessed development in these areas.
On the economic front, specifically in the investment sector, His Excellency Ambassador Al-Ansari indicated that there are significant efforts to expand investments between the two countries. He explained that the two sides have witnessed mutual visits and discussions in this regard, the most recent of which was the visit of His Excellency Lieutenant General Kamel Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport of Egypt, to Doha in February of this year. This was preceded by the visit of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani, Minister of Transport, to the Arab Republic of Egypt in January. During the same visit, he also met with the Chairman of the Qatar Chamber, in the presence of the Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Industries, Engineer Mohamed Zaki Al-Suwaidi.
He noted that His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited the Arab Republic of Egypt in November 2024, which received significant attention regarding the economic and investment sectors. His Excellency met with His Excellency President El-Sisi and His Excellency Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt.
In his remarks, His Excellency Ambassador Al-Ansari stated that the volume of trade between Qatar and Egypt increased by 38 percent in 2024, reaching approximately 746 million Qatari riyals, compared to 540 million riyals in 2023.
He pointed out that cultural cooperation between the two countries is also on its way to further development and growth, noting that this year witnessed a diversity of cultural exchange through the activities of the Egyptian Cultural Week in Doha, in addition to the announcement of Qatar as the guest of honor at the Cairo International Book Fair for 2027. He also noted ongoing efforts to hold a Qatari Cultural Week in Cairo this year, along with numerous upcoming cultural and artistic events.
He stated that the presence of a large Egyptian community in Qatar helps strengthen cultural and social ties between the two countries. The Egyptian community is one of the largest communities residing in Qatar, estimated at approximately 200,000 people according to 2024 estimates. This community, in turn, contributes to supporting the Qatari economy, participating in development processes in various fields, and achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, alongside the efforts of their Qatari brothers.
Regarding the embassy’s community initiatives, His Excellency stated that they stem from the State of Qatar’s policy of supporting sustainable development and within the context of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ policy for international cooperation, which includes support for the health, education, and economic empowerment sectors, in support of social development in sisterly Egypt. This is done in coordination with the Egyptian government in the areas of charitable and development work, with the goal of achieving integrated societies that enjoy peace, security, and stability.
This is the philosophy behind Qatar’s foreign support, stemming from the shared Arab culture between Egypt and Qatar, a pillar of which is a focus on social development. This is achieved through supporting segments of society, including children, the disabled, and orphans, and providing all forms of support to those in need. This helps eradicate poverty and destitution, bring smiles to people’s faces, and instill hope for a better future.
He added, “This is the policy of the State of Qatar as an active and responsible member of its Arab regional and global community, and in line with the principles and objectives of the Charter of the League of Arab States and the United Nations.”
His Excellency Mr. Al Ansari concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Qatar enjoy strong historical relations rooted in interconnectedness, cohesion, and solidarity at the leadership, official, and popular levels.
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