Doha, 21 July 2022 (QT)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

The relationship between France and Qatar is an old and good one, but good is not enough, it must be exceptional, the Ambassador of France to Qatar Jean-Baptiste Faivre has said, adding that in this regard a great deal of work has been done this year to strengthen the relationship, which is once again excellent.

The French ambassador was addressing a gala reception that was held to celebrate the 233rd National Day of France. The reception was hosted by him at Hotel Ritz-Carlton, Doha.

“One year after taking office, I am pleased and honoured to celebrate for the first time French National Day in Qatar, the year when we are also commemorating the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between France and Qatar,” he said.

Those present on the occasion included Minister of Social Development and the Family Mrs. Mariam bint Ali Al Misnad; Ambassador Ibrahim Yousif Fakhroo, Director of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; members of the diplomatic Corp in Qatar; dignitaries; guests; a large number of French community members and members of the French Armed Forces.

The French envoy said he was happy to be heading the French Embassy in Qatar and appreciated the support he has witnessed since his arrival. “I am confident of achieving great projects together in the future,” he asserted. “Fostering bilateral relationship to a dynamic revival has been initiated at the highest level. Over
the course of this year, the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron have met three times – in Baghdad in August, in Doha in December, and in Paris in May-end,” he noted.

The Strategic Dialogue held between the foreign ministers of the two countries at the end of March set an ambitious roadmap, he added. “Moreover, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, M. Jean-Yves Le Drian visited Qatar three times during the last few years and the new French Foreign Minister, Mrs. Colonna, has already twice met Sheikh Mohamad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani whom she received recently in Paris, on the sidelines of the ‘Choose France’ Summit.

The bilateral official visits also included those by French Minister of Interior and Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces to Doha and visits by Qatari ministers to France.

On cultural, education and tourism levels, he said, “projects like the outstanding Dior exhibition, and coopération between muséums and universitiés will further strengthen our relations”.

The French envoy announced that French presidency of the European Union has made it possible to make progress towards a future visa waiver for the citizens of Qatar, “and these developments mirror the renewed vitality of our partnership”.

He said that Qatar today is at the centre of regional and international attention as Doha has been the pivot of an exceptional cooperation with the international community on Afghanistan, Lebanon, Ukraine, Chad, and Syria as both France and Qatar are the two powers that work for stability and are committed to respecting laws and conflict resolution.

The envoy said that 120 French companies are operating in the major sectors in Qatar and contributing towards the development of Qatar. “Moreover, France ranks first in Europe in terms of international investments and offers great opportunities for Qatari investors.”

On the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, he said that France will be at Qatar’s side to ensure the success of this unprecedented event in the region. France has always been present since the Asian Games in 2006.

He added: “We will also help implement the Cooperation Agreement that we have with the State of Qatar and the International Labour Organization.”

In his concluded remarks, the French ambassador paid his gratitude to Qatari and French companies for their cooperation and support in hosting the gala reception celebrating French National Day as well as to the members of French embassy and Hotel Ritz-Carlton, Doha.

He lauded the role and contributions of French schools, university, French community, forums, The Maison de France, Doha Accuell and Francophone community in Qatar for playing essential role in building bilateral relationship and outreach.

His address was followed by a short video-recorded message of Mrs. Laura Georges, Secretary General of the French Football Federation and a former football player.

Talking to Qatar Tribune on the occasion, Zainab Zouani, who works with HEC Qatar, paid her gratitude to the French ambassador and his team on the wonderful arrangements. She said the event was perfect for her as she not only got the opportunity to be part of her National Day celebrations but also for the chance to meet such a large number of her compatriots and other people.

Thomas Tobias, a young engineer working in Qatar for the last three years with a French energy company, said he was very happy and proud to be a part of the celebrations in his second and new home Qatar. “Being among such a large number of guests especially my compatriots, I do not feel away from my country,” he said, adding that this is the best time to be in Qatar since so many good things are happening here including the FIFA World Cup. “I am very excited for the World Cup for which I was lucky to purchase the tickets already”.

Elena Torrijos, who’s serving as a legal consul for the last four years in Qatar and is an elected community counsellor-French Community in Qatar and Bahrain, said that being away from motherland, she is so happy to celebrate the spirit and culture of France and keeping link with her roots. “It was four years ago when I arrived in Qatar and now celebrating my first National Day in Qatar. Since, the French team was playing in the final of the World Cup, the atmosphere was electric and once again we French nationals will be watching World Cup here in Qatar this year. Today, even without sport, I feel electric.”

Talking about French community Forum established in 2013, she said three counsellors are elected for five years, one in Bahrain and two for Qatar. The forum organises various socio-cultural activities and supports school education fees for students whose parents cannot afford education. She said some 2,900 students are studying in two French schools. “French Community Forum is usually supporting around 25 students in each session. There are two educational sessions yearly.”

Meanwhile, the guests were entertained with the large variety of delicious French cuisines and were thrilled with the selected numbers of melodious songs played on the occasion by a local group of professional artists.