*Plasma from recovered Covid-19 patients in Qatar sent to Italy to help identify potentially life-saving treatments
*Qatar and Italy strategic partners in many fields
*Qatar stood by Italy when the latter was hit hard by Covid-19
*Qatar and Italy strategic partners in many fields
*Qatar stood by Italy when the latter was hit hard by Covid-19
The Covid-19 pandemic proved the bonds of friendship between Italy and Qatar are stronger than ever as the two countries continue to do their best in protecting the health of their communities and in overcoming such challenges, Italian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Marina Sereni has said.
The global health crisis, she told Gulf Times, failed to prevent Italy and Qatar to continue their fruitful dialogue and “I am glad to contribute to further advance it by meeting in person the Qatari authorities.”
“On this note, I would like to thank His Highness the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, who offered assistance to Italy in a difficult moment, when the country was hit hard by the coronavirus,” the Deputy Minister said on the sidelines of her official visit to Qatar Wednesday. Italian ambassador Alessandro Prunas was present.
“We will never forget that Qatar stood by Italy when we most needed it. My assessment for post-Covid bilateral relations are positive,” she said, adding that Qatar and Italy are strategic partners in many fields.
Sereni met relevant counterparts at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the latest regional and international developments of common interest for Italy and Qatar.
She said the two countries enjoy constant contacts at the highest level and have developed an intense political consultation in all fields of mutual interest.
She expressed confidence that the two countries, which have wide, solid and efficient bilateral relations, will build on the excellent level of co-operation to reach more ambitious goal, in any sector of collaboration.
About the positive impact of the co-operation between Qatar and Italy in the fight against Covid-19, Sereni highlighted the key role played by Qatar Foundation in promoting connections with leading Italian research institutes and universities.
She noted that the two countries are building on this existing network of relations and contact in order to advance research in the battle against Coronavirus.
“As you know, plasma from patients in Qatar who have recovered from Covid-19 was transported last June by an Italian military aircraft to Italy to help identify potentially life-saving treatments for the disease,” the Deputy Minister said. “Convalescent plasma samples are currently being analysed at the University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, with the Sardinia-based Mater Olbia Hospital assessing the data.”
Sereni said the Qatar Genome Programme is co-operating with Italian Universities of Rome Tor Vergata and of Trieste to collect and analyse clinical and genomic information to better understand the different impact of Covid-19. The conclusions of the study, she added, will be shared with the international scientific community to help people around the world.
“We are pleased to increase the number of collaborations with Qatari institutes, sharing knowledge and progressing research to the benefit of the international community. But this is just the beginning: Covid-19 pandemic has made us realise we need to improve common tools to respond to global challenges with innovative solutions,” the Deputy Minister said.
Sereni also lauded the Qatar government in abolishing the kafala system and introducing a law on non-discriminatory minimum wage. This historical step, she stressed, makes Qatar the first country in the region to adopt such and advanced legislation.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to express the sincere appreciation for the recent milestone reform adopted by Qatar on the protection of the rights of migrant workers.
Qatar and Italy, Sereni said, also enjoy strong partnership in terms of trade and investment. She noted that Qatar Investment Authority, as well as Qatar Foundation, already invested in Italy in different sectors, ranging from hospitality to real estate, including health facilities.
“As part of our regular dialogue in this field we are discussing other possible areas of investment and we hope that Qatar could support business opportunities in other fields, including for instance the National Tourism Fund recently launched by Italy’s state lender Cassa Depositi e Presititi,” Sereni said.
In 2019, she noted that trade volume between the two countries accounted for 2.7-billion euros.
“Covid-19 pandemic of course impacted the bilateral trade exchanges as in many other cases, but our trade relations have remained solid and we experienced a positive trend in food export with an increase of over 9% in the first half of the year,” Sereni pointed out. She added “Also our business partnerships in the oil & gas sector, in Qatar as well as in third countries, continue developing at a fast pace.”
In the cultural front, she said culture remains a crucial aspect of the strategic partnership between Qatar and Italy.
“I am sure that strengthening the co-operation we have in place in this field will prove beneficial for our bilateral relations overall. Italy appreciates and encourages all forms of cultural exchange between our countries and we are confident that an increasing number of initiatives could be planned and organised in Qatar and Italy, as soon as conditions have improved and restrictions in place are progressively lifted,” the Italian Deputy Minister said.
About collaboration in the field of sports in the lead up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, she noted that Italy and Italian companies are co-operating with Qatari institutions and companies in preparation of 2022 FIFA World Cup, together with local companies, across different areas: training for the security of major events, infrastructure and hospitality, as well as education programs in major events managements thanks to a cooperation between SDA Bocconi School of Management and Josoor Institute.
Sereni recalled Italian companies built the Doha Metro and the iconic Al Bayt Stadium, which will host the opening ceremony of the World Cup.
Other companies are working on the concept, design and refurbishing of top-level hotels and resort in Qatar, according to the Deputy Minister.
“An increasing number of Italian professionals is holding managerial roles in prestigious hospitality projects in Doha. We are proud to see that the Qatar hospitality industry is putting special trust not only in Made in Italy products but also in Italian training and expertise,” she added.
Italian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Marina Sereni speaking to Gulf Times
The global health crisis, she told Gulf Times, failed to prevent Italy and Qatar to continue their fruitful dialogue and “I am glad to contribute to further advance it by meeting in person the Qatari authorities.”
“On this note, I would like to thank His Highness the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, who offered assistance to Italy in a difficult moment, when the country was hit hard by the coronavirus,” the Deputy Minister said on the sidelines of her official visit to Qatar Wednesday. Italian ambassador Alessandro Prunas was present.
“We will never forget that Qatar stood by Italy when we most needed it. My assessment for post-Covid bilateral relations are positive,” she said, adding that Qatar and Italy are strategic partners in many fields.
Sereni met relevant counterparts at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the latest regional and international developments of common interest for Italy and Qatar.
She said the two countries enjoy constant contacts at the highest level and have developed an intense political consultation in all fields of mutual interest.
She expressed confidence that the two countries, which have wide, solid and efficient bilateral relations, will build on the excellent level of co-operation to reach more ambitious goal, in any sector of collaboration.
About the positive impact of the co-operation between Qatar and Italy in the fight against Covid-19, Sereni highlighted the key role played by Qatar Foundation in promoting connections with leading Italian research institutes and universities.
She noted that the two countries are building on this existing network of relations and contact in order to advance research in the battle against Coronavirus.
“As you know, plasma from patients in Qatar who have recovered from Covid-19 was transported last June by an Italian military aircraft to Italy to help identify potentially life-saving treatments for the disease,” the Deputy Minister said. “Convalescent plasma samples are currently being analysed at the University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, with the Sardinia-based Mater Olbia Hospital assessing the data.”
Sereni said the Qatar Genome Programme is co-operating with Italian Universities of Rome Tor Vergata and of Trieste to collect and analyse clinical and genomic information to better understand the different impact of Covid-19. The conclusions of the study, she added, will be shared with the international scientific community to help people around the world.
“We are pleased to increase the number of collaborations with Qatari institutes, sharing knowledge and progressing research to the benefit of the international community. But this is just the beginning: Covid-19 pandemic has made us realise we need to improve common tools to respond to global challenges with innovative solutions,” the Deputy Minister said.
Sereni also lauded the Qatar government in abolishing the kafala system and introducing a law on non-discriminatory minimum wage. This historical step, she stressed, makes Qatar the first country in the region to adopt such and advanced legislation.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to express the sincere appreciation for the recent milestone reform adopted by Qatar on the protection of the rights of migrant workers.
Qatar and Italy, Sereni said, also enjoy strong partnership in terms of trade and investment. She noted that Qatar Investment Authority, as well as Qatar Foundation, already invested in Italy in different sectors, ranging from hospitality to real estate, including health facilities.
“As part of our regular dialogue in this field we are discussing other possible areas of investment and we hope that Qatar could support business opportunities in other fields, including for instance the National Tourism Fund recently launched by Italy’s state lender Cassa Depositi e Presititi,” Sereni said.
In 2019, she noted that trade volume between the two countries accounted for 2.7-billion euros.
“Covid-19 pandemic of course impacted the bilateral trade exchanges as in many other cases, but our trade relations have remained solid and we experienced a positive trend in food export with an increase of over 9% in the first half of the year,” Sereni pointed out. She added “Also our business partnerships in the oil & gas sector, in Qatar as well as in third countries, continue developing at a fast pace.”
In the cultural front, she said culture remains a crucial aspect of the strategic partnership between Qatar and Italy.
“I am sure that strengthening the co-operation we have in place in this field will prove beneficial for our bilateral relations overall. Italy appreciates and encourages all forms of cultural exchange between our countries and we are confident that an increasing number of initiatives could be planned and organised in Qatar and Italy, as soon as conditions have improved and restrictions in place are progressively lifted,” the Italian Deputy Minister said.
About collaboration in the field of sports in the lead up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, she noted that Italy and Italian companies are co-operating with Qatari institutions and companies in preparation of 2022 FIFA World Cup, together with local companies, across different areas: training for the security of major events, infrastructure and hospitality, as well as education programs in major events managements thanks to a cooperation between SDA Bocconi School of Management and Josoor Institute.
Sereni recalled Italian companies built the Doha Metro and the iconic Al Bayt Stadium, which will host the opening ceremony of the World Cup.
Other companies are working on the concept, design and refurbishing of top-level hotels and resort in Qatar, according to the Deputy Minister.
“An increasing number of Italian professionals is holding managerial roles in prestigious hospitality projects in Doha. We are proud to see that the Qatar hospitality industry is putting special trust not only in Made in Italy products but also in Italian training and expertise,” she added.
