|
|
Qatar’s missions organised special receptions to celebrate the country’s National Day.
Qatar’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer al-Thani held a reception ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh which was attended by Governor of Riyadh region Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud as a guest of honour along with Saudi Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary for Protocol Affairs Azzam bin Abdul-Kareem al-Gain.
Ambassadors of Arab, Islamic and foreign countries accredited to Saudi Arabia were also present alongside a group of diplomats, Saudi dignitaries and Qatari students.
In Washington, Qatar’s embassy in the United States celebrated the National Day at the Andrew Mellon Hall which was attended by more than a 1,000 persons.
Qatar’s Ambassador to the US Mohamed Jaham al-Kuwari and embassy staff welcomed the guests including several members of the US Congress led by Republican Jim Moran, Carolyn Maloney, Nick Rahall, Andre Carson, and Robin Kelly.
Several Arab ambassadors and senior officials of the US administration, in addition to a number Qatari people in Washington DC also attended the event.
Ambassador al-Kuwari said that the Qatar is keen to create a bright future for the Qatari people and people in the Arab world.”
He highlighted the partnership between United States and Qatar, describing it as great and strong dating back to decades of common interests and deep co-operation at several levels.
He also highlighted the enhanced partnership in trade and investment. In the field of education the US-Qatar co-operation was reflected in the close ties with six of the best American universities, noting that Doha considers this partnership as essential for the development of Qatar which seeks to establish a modern knowledge-based economy.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York hosted a reception on the occasion of Qatar’s National Day.
HE Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani welcomed the guests.
Senior officials at the UN General Secretariat and a large gathering of members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the United Nations, led by representatives of the permanent member states, attended the ceremony.
Representatives of the American society, including politicians and businessmen, in addition to a number of media representatives accredited to the United Nations in New York and members of the Arab and Muslim community in New York were also present at the ceremony.
In Ankara, Qatar’s Ambassador to Turkey Salem bin Mubarak al-Shafi has inaugurated a street named after Qatar to mark the country’s National Day. The street, adjacent to the Presidential Republican Palace in Chanakaya area, is located in one of the most vital and prestigious suburbs in Ankara.
Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek and Ali Ihsan Yilmaz, chairman of Greater Ankara Municipal Council, Yahya Akman, Head President of Qatari-Turkish Friendship Parliamentary Group and a number of parliamentarians, senior officials of the foreign and finance ministries and Greater Ankara Municipal Council along with Arab ambassadors and Charge d’Affaires attended the inauguration ceremony.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Yilmaz revealed that the Municipal Council decision to name a street after Qatar reflects the good relations between the two countries.
He pointed out that 2015 will be a cultural year between the two countries.
In Beijing, Qatar’s Ambassador to China Sultan bin Salmeen al-Mansouri held a reception ceremony at China World Summit Wing hotel on the occasion of Qatar’s National Day.
Chinese Minister of Culture Cai Wu attended the event along with a group of senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, the Communist Party of China, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the ministries of defence, commerce and culture.
Also among the attendees were representatives of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the Islamic Association of China, and Chinese oil and gas companies.
President and members of Arab and foreign diplomatic missions accredited to Beijing were also present alongside representatives of Qatari organisations, offices and companies operating in China, and Qatari students in Beijing.
The ceremony featured some documentaries reflecting the Qatari heritage.
In Djibouti, Qatar’s Ambassador Jassim bin Jabir Jassim Surour hosted a reception which was attended by a number of Djiboutian officials including Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Mahamoud Ali Youssouf who is also the government’s spokesman, Speaker of the National Assembly (Parliament) Idriss Arnaoud Ali and several political advisers, businessmen, dignitaries, investors, ranking military officers from Djibouti and foreign countries as well as representatives of regional and international organisations.
A number of diplomats and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Djibouti also attended.
Similar events were held in Qatar’s embassies in India, Nepal, Ecuador, Swaziland and Myanmar.
