France, Qatar working to tackle terrorism: envoy

France and Qatar are continuously working together to tackle terrorism and other security issues in the region and “within the framework of the international community mechanisms,” French ambassador Eric Chevallier yesterday said.
Speaking to reporters at the French embassy in Doha, the envoy noted that such partnership involves many activities and covers three main elements.
“First is security, but also issues around financing because of cost, it is an important issue so it should be tackled together,” Chevallier explained. “The third element I would say is the more cultural dimension.”
He noted that terrorists’ main aim in committing “such acts” is to divide societies and provoke tension between and within societies.
The envoy stressed the importance of fighting ‘Islamophobia’ saying that terrorists want to develop tensions. “Our joint responsibility, all of us, is to avoid falling into this trap.”
“The terrorism issue has to be looked at really from different perspectives, this is something that we are working on together with Qatar,” Chevallier said.
He cited the official visit of Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani to France in November last year, three days after the terror attack in Paris.
HE Sheikh Abdullah came with very strong messages from HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, according to the envoy.
“Messages of solidarity and determination to jointly tackle terrorism were very important and it was highly appreciated by the highest level in France at a very special moment, which was a difficult moment for us,” he said.
He also cited the visit of Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani to France to discuss similar issues with the French foreign minister and with the French president.
In response, several key stakeholders in France who deal with regional crisis came to Doha to work with their counterpart in tackling issues in Syria, Libya, and Lebanon, among others.
Chevallier said French authorities have been firm in their position on Syria: “A need for transition in the war-torn country and a need for transition which respects the will of the Syrian people.”
“This cannot include those who are responsible mainly for the tragedy that Syria has faced for the last five years,” he stressed. “The position of French authorities is full transition, real political transition without Bashar al-Assad being part of the future of Syria after all what had happened.”
“There is no change in the French position. Parliamentarians are free in our country so they can decide to go here and there, it is their own responsibility,” the envoy said.” We believe that there is a need for a transition, not a transition that will destroy all the institutions in Syria.”
About the issue in Libya, he believes that countries in the region should support (political or military) Libya’s UN-backed unity government led by Libyan Prime Minister-designate Fayez Seraj.
“We are very happy that Qatar is supporting the same idea that Seraj was received in Doha by HH the Emir,” Chevallier said.

France is a ‘safe tourist destination’
The successful hosting of the Union of European Football Associations Euro 2016 proved that it is safe to travel in France, French ambassador Eric Chevallier has stressed.
“I want to reassure everybody, yes you can travel safely in France,” the envoy told reporters yesterday at a press briefing at the embassy.
Based on the number of visa applications the embassy received recently, he said he was sure that many Qataris travelled to France to watch the finals of the prestigious football tournament at the Stade De France.
Chevallier also said that many Qataris want to go to France, one of their preferred tourism destinations especially during the summer.
With more than 80mn foreign visitors annually, he said France remains the best destination in the world. He expects the number to increase further in the coming years.
The envoy noted that they have been working “very seriously” on security to ensure the safety of visitors travelling from various countries, including those from Qatar and other GCC countries.
“Before the beginning of the Euro in May and June, many people were saying, ‘Don’t go to France it will be risky, there will be a problem,’ but we ended the Euro yesterday (Sunday) and all went very well, we have millions of visitors,” the envoy said.
The envoy said they had minor problems at the beginning of the tournament created by “some people from other countries who want to break anything.”
“I will not call them supporters because they are not, but we dealt with the issue and it was resolved,” he pointed out.
Saying France had experienced two terrible terrorist moments, he noted that such attacks also happen in other countries around the world including those in Europe, Asia, and the US.
“What is also true is that nowhere in the world people can imagine that the risk will be zero,” Chevallier said. “It happens in different parts of the world but what is important is it is settled.”