Meeting between Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and his counterpart (4 March 2020)

Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, received his Qatari counterpart, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, yesterday.

Jean-Yves Le Drian and his interlocutor signaled their attachment to the partnership between France and Qatar and underscored the need to continue to strengthen it. They notably welcomed the development of our economic exchanges and our cooperation in the cultural sphere in the context of the Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture.

The ministers discussed the regional crises in the Middle East, regarding which our two countries engage in sustained and regular dialogue. With respect to Libya, Jean-Yves Le Drian and his counterpart reaffirmed the need for a lasting ceasefire that will be upheld by all parties and for the swift implementation of the priorities outlined in the conclusions adopted in Berlin on January 19, notably the launch of a representative and inclusive inter-Libyan dialogue, involving all of Libya’s neighbors and the regional partners. With respect to Syria, they expressed their shared concern regarding the dire humanitarian situation in the northwestern part of the country, as well as the risk of regional escalation. They agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the need for a political solution in order to find a lasting solution to the crisis.