The Italian embassy in Doha highlighted the continued strenghtening of relations between Qatar and Italy while marking Italy’s 75th National Day yesterday (June 2).
“On a bilateral level, in the past year, despite many challenges, the co-operation between Italy and Qatar has successfully continued, with a large range of events, meetings and visits,” Italian ambassador Alessandro Prunas said at the event which was also streamed online.
The envoy was joined by Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Soltan bin Saad al-Muraikhi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Protocol Department director ambassador Ibrahìm Fakhro, European Affairs Department deputy director Ali al-Khater, and Diplomatic Corps dean and Eritrean ambassador Ali Ibrahim Ahmed at the celebration.
In his speech, Prunas cited the state visit of Italian president Sergio Mattarella to Qatar in January 2020 as well as the visit of Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Marina Sereni, Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini, and in December, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio.
The envoy noted that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries signed a Memorandum on Strategic Dialogue, “stressing the willingness to enhance the political dialogue and facilitate peaceful solutions through continuous exchange and co-ordination, in the framework of international organisations and international law.”
He stressed that business co-operation between Qatar and Italy “remains solid across different sectors, noting that ‘Made in Italy’ products offer innovation, advanced technology and highly customised products and services.”
Prunas noted that Al Bayt Stadium, which will host the opening game of FIFA World Cup 2022, and part of the Doha Metro were built by Italian companies.
He also lauded the notable labour reforms adopted by Qatar to further improve the plight of migrant workers and efforts to make the country’s business climate more friendly and dynamic for foreign investors, among other developments such as the preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022.
“Co-operation is expanding to new subjects and areas of exchange thanks to the remarkable reforms adopted by the State of Qatar. We commend the Qatari authorities for delivering on their commitment to improve the situation of migrant workers with a series of historic reforms of Qatar’s labour market.
“Italy, together with the European Union and its Member States, continue to stand ready to support Qatar in the implementation of these reforms,” Prunas said.
He underlined the importance of the Shura Council elections scheduled in October, saying it is “an important step, which will increase political participation to the benefit of the people of Qatar. It also paves the ways to further inter-parliamentary co-operation to exchange expertise and ideas.”
About the recent developments in the region, the envoy said Italy hailed the outcome of the Al-Ula Summit, describing it as “a very positive step for the GCC.”
About the preparations for FIFA World Cup 2022, he said Italy is working closely with Qatari authorities to ensure the success of the first World Cup in the Gulf Region.
Prunas also lauded the community of Italian professors and researchers in Qatar who continues to help develop the scientific co-operation between the two countries.
“There is a growing potential to develop together. We are working to increase the number of collaborations with Qatari research institutes, sharing knowledge and progressing research to the benefit of the international community,” he said.
In the area of arts and culture, and other fields of bilateral co-operations, the envoy said: “We encourage all forms of cultural exchange between our countries and globally. Italy has a broader and inclusive vision of culture, encompassing art, sport, healthy lifestyle, food, wellbeing of individuals, social and community development.
“It is the renowned “Vivere ALL’Italiana”, the extraordinary Italian way of life, which the Embassy has been promoting through the organisation of events, exhibitions and initiatives. We are planning an intense cultural programme for the next autumn/winter in partnership with Qatari institutions.”
He noted that “the embassy “successfully co-operated with universities, cultural and scientific institutions, as well as local youth association.”
“Sustainability, climate change and ecological transition have become key area in the dialogue with Qatar. The embassy joined the #KeepQatarclean campaign launched by HE Sheikha al Mayassa by organising a clean-up at Al Zubarah beach in collaboration with Deap Qatar association, Unesco regional office for GCC countries and Yemen, and the UK embassy,” Prunas said.
He added that the embassy also took part in the Agriteq-Enviroteq exhibitions this year, highlighting “Italy’s commitment to promote a successful model of business, which is at the same time profitable and sustainable.”
“On a bilateral level, in the past year, despite many challenges, the co-operation between Italy and Qatar has successfully continued, with a large range of events, meetings and visits,” Italian ambassador Alessandro Prunas said at the event which was also streamed online.
The envoy was joined by Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Soltan bin Saad al-Muraikhi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Protocol Department director ambassador Ibrahìm Fakhro, European Affairs Department deputy director Ali al-Khater, and Diplomatic Corps dean and Eritrean ambassador Ali Ibrahim Ahmed at the celebration.
In his speech, Prunas cited the state visit of Italian president Sergio Mattarella to Qatar in January 2020 as well as the visit of Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Marina Sereni, Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini, and in December, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio.
The envoy noted that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries signed a Memorandum on Strategic Dialogue, “stressing the willingness to enhance the political dialogue and facilitate peaceful solutions through continuous exchange and co-ordination, in the framework of international organisations and international law.”
He stressed that business co-operation between Qatar and Italy “remains solid across different sectors, noting that ‘Made in Italy’ products offer innovation, advanced technology and highly customised products and services.”
Prunas noted that Al Bayt Stadium, which will host the opening game of FIFA World Cup 2022, and part of the Doha Metro were built by Italian companies.
He also lauded the notable labour reforms adopted by Qatar to further improve the plight of migrant workers and efforts to make the country’s business climate more friendly and dynamic for foreign investors, among other developments such as the preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022.
“Co-operation is expanding to new subjects and areas of exchange thanks to the remarkable reforms adopted by the State of Qatar. We commend the Qatari authorities for delivering on their commitment to improve the situation of migrant workers with a series of historic reforms of Qatar’s labour market.
“Italy, together with the European Union and its Member States, continue to stand ready to support Qatar in the implementation of these reforms,” Prunas said.
He underlined the importance of the Shura Council elections scheduled in October, saying it is “an important step, which will increase political participation to the benefit of the people of Qatar. It also paves the ways to further inter-parliamentary co-operation to exchange expertise and ideas.”
About the recent developments in the region, the envoy said Italy hailed the outcome of the Al-Ula Summit, describing it as “a very positive step for the GCC.”
About the preparations for FIFA World Cup 2022, he said Italy is working closely with Qatari authorities to ensure the success of the first World Cup in the Gulf Region.
Prunas also lauded the community of Italian professors and researchers in Qatar who continues to help develop the scientific co-operation between the two countries.
“There is a growing potential to develop together. We are working to increase the number of collaborations with Qatari research institutes, sharing knowledge and progressing research to the benefit of the international community,” he said.
In the area of arts and culture, and other fields of bilateral co-operations, the envoy said: “We encourage all forms of cultural exchange between our countries and globally. Italy has a broader and inclusive vision of culture, encompassing art, sport, healthy lifestyle, food, wellbeing of individuals, social and community development.
“It is the renowned “Vivere ALL’Italiana”, the extraordinary Italian way of life, which the Embassy has been promoting through the organisation of events, exhibitions and initiatives. We are planning an intense cultural programme for the next autumn/winter in partnership with Qatari institutions.”
He noted that “the embassy “successfully co-operated with universities, cultural and scientific institutions, as well as local youth association.”
“Sustainability, climate change and ecological transition have become key area in the dialogue with Qatar. The embassy joined the #KeepQatarclean campaign launched by HE Sheikha al Mayassa by organising a clean-up at Al Zubarah beach in collaboration with Deap Qatar association, Unesco regional office for GCC countries and Yemen, and the UK embassy,” Prunas said.
He added that the embassy also took part in the Agriteq-Enviroteq exhibitions this year, highlighting “Italy’s commitment to promote a successful model of business, which is at the same time profitable and sustainable.”
