In special remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the sidelines of the two-day Doha Forum 2024, Colomina underlined that Qatar is a member of Nato’s framework for co-operation with the Gulf and Istanbul Co-operation Initiative (ICI), which was launched in 2004.
There is an exceptionally good bilateral co-operation with Qatar at the level of political dialogue and practical co-operation, extending from maritime security to interoperability in a variety of fields that concern Qatar and Nato, Colomina underlined.
Colomina affirmed that since his appointment to this position following the Washington Summit last July, he has been increasing co-operation and augmenting the partnership with Qatar, highlighting that this was his first time to attend the Doha Forum as the new Nato Special Representative.
He pointed out that the forum reflects that fact that Qatar delves deep into global issues with its capability of gathering influential personalities in Doha, adding that he came here in attempt to outline the connotation of the Southern Neighbourhood operation that aims to make a change in the relationship with southern partners, whether in the Mediterranean, or more specifically, in the Gulf.
Through Nato’s presence here that this platform is the ideal one to do so, he highlighted, noting that he had engaged in a panel discussion with the European Union Special Representative for the Gulf Region, Luigi Di Maio, alongside GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, to explain the Nato plans, in addition to holding a series of bilateral meetings, stressing the importance of continuing bilateral co-operation with Qatar.
Colomina highlighted that such a plan comprises a multitude of pillars, namely the political dialogue and significantly engaging with southern allies and partners, in addition to practical co-operation to further bolster partnership through training in interoperability, education, counter-terrorism and maritime security, as well as general communication and vision.
Colomina said that he visited Doha for the first time in June and held bilateral meetings with officials, pledging that he would come back for the third time, within a week, to chair the joint action group as a conference that is poised to be held within the framework of ICI.
He praised the work Qatar is doing at the bilateral level, which extends to its efforts in mediating many of conflicts today on the global stage.
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