HH the Emir of Qatar Meets German Chancellor

Doha, September 17 (QNA) - HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al -Thani, and the German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel discussed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways of enhancing them in addition to a number of regional and international issues. During the working lunch which took place at the headquarters of the German government this afternoon, the two sides also discussed prospects for further development of mutual cooperation. Following that, Dr. Angela Merkel in a joint press conference expressed her happiness over the visit of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al- Thani, ... and said that the talks were fruitful and constructive, dealt with the bilateral relations and ways to continue to promoting them, particularly in economic and investment areas. She voiced her happiness for the convening of the Qatari - German Economic Forum. Merkel said she was briefed during the talks on the plans and Qatar National Vision 2030, and said that the talks also dealt with the Qatari preparations for hosting the World Cup 2022 and hoped that the State of Qatar would create favorable conditions for the workers who are working on projects related to the tournament .. She explained that HH the Emir had assured her that these issues have been taken care of and taken seriously. Merkel said that the two sides discussed the security situation and developments in the region and viewpoints around them .. She said in this regard that they also discussed the Islamic State organization, confirming that the two sides have identical viewpoints in this regard Merkel noted that the two sides agree that Muslims in particular are suffering alongside Christians and other religions, expressing her happiness of Qatar joining the international coalition against terrorism. She added that the talks also covered the peace process in the Middle East, pointing out that there is a difference in this matter .. but that the two sides agree on the need for a two - state solution and find a lasting peace rather than a truce agreement .. She said cooperation with the Arab states were also discussed, noting the importance of the exchange of cooperation to confront the dangers. She added that the developments in a number of countries of the Arab Spring were also discussed , referring to the situation in Libya, which it described as complicated, expressing the hope that would not affect Tunisia, "but rather that stability in Tunisia, which continues the positive developments would stabilize the situation in Libya For his part, HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al -Thani, thanked the German Chancellor for the warm reception, praising as fruitful the talks between the two sides, which dealt with the relations between the two countries, especially in economic and investment areas. HH the Emir described that talks as "frank", adding that they did not see any reservation and it came out with positive results .. HH the Emir the two sides also discussed the difficult and complicated situation in Syria, Iraq and Libya ..as well as the bright spot in the region, which is Tunisia, praising the Tunisian experience called for its support .. HH the Emir said : "As Chancellor kindly state that Germany supports the Tunisian experience, Qatar supports this experience as well." HH the Emir noted that the risk of extremism in the region was also discussed , stressing that the State of Qatar had warned against it (extremism) since the beginning of the Syrian Revolution .. HH the Emir added that the longer the conflict in Syria, the violence will continue and will generate extremist groups that cannot be controlled. HH the Emir expressed his regret over the suffering of the Syrian people from the regime tyranny and extremism .. HH the Emir noted that in addition to the fight against extremism, that rights of the people who had revolutions for dignity and full rights must be ensured. With regard to the issue concerning the conditions of workers in Qatar, HH the Emir said that there were mistakes occurred in the past .. and that Qatar is not perfect in all things .. But the good news that Qatar has made significant changes to maintain the rights of workers and to provide favorable conditions for them, HH the Emir said, stressing his personal keenness on this matter On the differences of opinion on the Middle-East peace process, HH the Emir said that there was an agreement on establishing peace based on a two-state solution. HH the Emir added that the two parties agreed to hold more talks on the matter in the future. On whether the visit of HH the Emir will boost relations, Merkel said that Qatar is an important investor to Germany. She added that there is an increasing level of coordination on cooperation in the economy, investment and energy fields. The German Chancellor added that there is an interest to cooperate with Qatar in the future in the fields of infra-structure and the environment. She added that Germany will be a strategic investor to Qatar. On allegations that the State of Qatar was financing extremists groups, HH the Emir stressed that Qatar did not and would not support any extremist group in Syria and Iraq, noting that the situation in Syria and Iraq were terrorism acts carried out by the state and extremist groups. (END)