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His Excellency Adviser to the Prime Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari met Tuesday with Press Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Kitamura Toshihiro, who is currently visiting the country. The meeting discussed bilateral co-operation relations, ways to support and develop them, and the exchange of expertise in the media field. 

Japan is prepared to support Qatar as it shifts its economic focus from traditional energy to more advanced sectors, according to Kitamura Toshihiro, the press secretary/DG for Press and Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan.Responding to a Gulf Times question during a media briefing in Doha Tuesday, Toshihiro emphasised that the Japan-Qatar bilateral relationship is maturing beyond its historic foundations in energy and infrastructure to embrace a future defined by innovation.“Qatar is very active not only in diplomacy, but also in the economy, as well. [The Qatari] government is now trying to shift from energy to other areas, such as artificial intelligence (AI) or other so-called advanced technologies, so that could be the joint common areas of cooperation for both Japan and Qatar,” he told this newspaper.Toshihiro noted that the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi to Qatar, where he co-chaired the third ‘Japan-Qatar Strategic Dialogue’, marks a first-of-its-kind mission under the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and underscores the vital importance Japan places on the Middle East.The press secretary said energy remains a cornerstone of the partnership, with long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts serving as a foundation for decades of friendship. He said Japan is currently promoting the ASEAN Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative, which views LNG as a primary transition fuel for reconciling economic development with green transformation.Toshihiro said, “By providing Japanese technology to ASEAN nations, Japan aims to expand the market for LNG in partnership with Qatari resources. In that context, we consider that LNG remains a more prosperous source of energy.“Major Japanese companies and the Japanese government are working very hard with ASEAN countries to expand the market for LNG...in this context, I think there are many possibilities between Japan and the Qatari government in promoting LNG cooperation,” he explained.According to Toshihiro, economic cooperation is further maturing through significant reciprocal investments, including a $2.5bn joint investment fund established between the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Japan’s ORIX Corp.Looking forward, Toshihiro pointed out that the Japanese government has identified 17 priority areas for future development, including AI, which align with the Qatar National Vision 2030.To facilitate this, Toshihiro said the Japanese Embassy in Doha plans to brief domestic firms next month on the vast possibilities for viewing Qatar as a strategic hub for regional expansion. 

The State of Qatar has welcomed the efforts of the legitimate Yemeni government to support the Yemeni dialogue process and address the Southern issue. In this regard, Qatar commended the request of the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council to convene a conference in Riyadh to discuss just and sustainable solutions to the issue, reflecting his commitment to dialogue as the optimal approach to addressing national challenges.In a statement issued Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the State of Qatar's appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting this conference, as part of its continued efforts to support initiatives aimed at achieving security and stability in the Republic of Yemen.The Ministry stressed the importance of the constructive and responsible participation of all Southern components in the upcoming Riyadh conference, in a manner that prioritizes the supreme interests of the Yemeni people. It also underscored the necessity of adhering to the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, which represent the consensual framework and comprehensive reference for reaching an inclusive political solution that fulfills the aspirations of all segments of the Yemeni people, while safeguarding Yemen's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cautioned that unilateral declarations or actions taken outside the framework of consultation, consensus, and serious dialogue among Yemeni parties would risk exacerbating instability and chaos, thereby harming the interests of the brotherly Yemeni people and undermining prospects for a sustainable political settlement.The Ministry reaffirmed the State of Qatar's full support for all regional and international efforts aimed at advancing the political process, ending the Yemeni crisis through dialogue and peaceful means, and contributing to the security and stability of Yemen and the region.

The Governments of the State of Qatar, the United States of America, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), and the African Union Commission issued the following statement on the occasion of the fourth meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee, held this week in Washington, D.C.On November 7, 2025, representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda, along with the State of Qatar, the United States, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), and the African Union Commission convened to assess implementation of the Peace Agreement, signed on June 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C..In a significant step forward, representatives from the DRC and Rwanda initialed the full text of the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) today, overseen by HE Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States, Allison Hooker, and HE Presidential Envoy and Senior Advisor for Africa at the US Department of State, Massad Boulos.The REIF outlines key areas for fostering economic cooperation and development between the two nations, demonstrating the tangible benefits of peace and creating opportunities for investment and growth that directly benefit people in the region. Its implementation remains contingent upon the satisfactory execution of the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and Operational Order (OPORD) under the Peace Agreement, underscoring the critical link between peace, stability, and economic progress.The Committee recognized lagging progress and committed to redouble efforts to implement the Washington Peace Agreement. The Parties agreed on specific near-term actions in line with their respective obligations for neutralizing the FDLR armed group and its associated groups and advancing disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda, reviewed preparations for military operations in a named area of interest, adopted an implementing agreement, and acknowledged the efforts of both of the Parties to translate their obligations into tangible actions on the ground. The Parties reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from hostile actions or rhetoric, particularly political attacks or language that would undermine or complicate the full implementation of the Peace Agreement, including in international fora.The State of Qatar provided an update on the ongoing negotiations in Doha between the DRC and AFC/M23, highlighting progress on key issues, including prisoner exchanges.The Committee welcomed the first convening of the Doha ceasefire monitoring mechanism on November 5. The Committee expressed strong support for these efforts and emphasized the critical role of the Doha process in advancing the broader implementation of the Peace Agreement.The Parties expressed a shared commitment to maintaining momentum in the peace process and continuing to build on the progress achieved.The Governments of the DRC and Rwanda expressed their gratitude to the State of Qatar, the United States, the African Union, and Togo for their steadfast support in advancing peace and stability in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.

Qatar is committed to achieve peace and end the war in Gaza, especially with no let-up in the daily Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people, HE Dr Majid Mohamed al-Ansari, Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said.The ongoing indirect negotiations between the Palestinian group Hamas and Israel in Sharm al-Sheikh in Egypt went on for four hours on Monday and continued Tuesday, he said.Highlighting the complexity of the talks, he said US President Donald Trump's peace plan has 20 points, each of which requires detailed consideration.During his weekly briefing, Dr al-Ansari said Qatar is committed to implementing the plan, and deliver the necessary aid immediately to the people in Gaza."But, we want a clear cut plan to guarantee the effective implementation of Trump's peace plan to avoid giving Israel any excuse to renew their attacks. Negotiations are currently focused on identifying the key obstacles hindering the implementation of President Trump's plan."Dr al-Ansari said Qatar, US and Egypt have been leading the mediation for two years now.He noted that all delegations are presently in Sharm El Sheikh, including the Qatari negotiating team.He also pointed out that Egypt is set to organise an international conference for the reconstruction of Gaza after the end of war, and Qatar strongly supports this.Regarding the future of Hamas in Gaza, he said it is still too early to talk about this. "Qatar believes that the future of the Palestinian people have to be in the hands of Palestinian people themselves. It is a Palestinian issue and it concerns them above all. Since day one of the negotiations, we have said that there is a need to unite the Palestinian people."He said the Hamas political office in Doha is needed for the negotiations.Regarding the handover of the Israeli hostages, he reiterated: "I stress that the US has been clear in linking the end of war with the handover of the hostages to Israel."Reuters adds: On the second day of talks in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, top Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya told Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV the group had come "to engage in serious and responsible negotiations."He said Hamas was ready to reach a deal, yet it needed a "guarantee" to end the war and ensure "it is not repeated".Senior Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum said a deal must ensure an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.Dr. Al Ansari said Qatar is currently engaged in more than 10 mediation efforts.Regarding the first Russia-Arab summit on October 15 in Moscow, he noted that the relations between the Arab world, Qatar and Russia are very important.He added that "there is an ongoing war in Ukraine and we are committed to achieve peace and help children in both countries to reunite with their families".

Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari said that Qatar welcomes the announcement by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) of its acceptance of US President Donald Trump's proposal to end the war in Gaza and its willingness to release all hostages, as part of the exchange formula contained in the proposal.In a post on X, Dr al-Ansari also affirmed Qatar's support for the US president's call for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the safe and rapid release of the hostages, achieving rapid results that stop the bloodshed of our Palestinian brothers in the Gaza Strip.He added that Qatar confirms that it has begun working with its mediation partners in Egypt, in co-ordination with the US, to complete discussions on the plan to ensure an end to the war.

Qatar has vehemently condemned the attack that targeted a mosque in El Fasher city in Sudan, which resulted in fatalities and injuries.In a statement Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs considered the bombing a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, stressing Qatar's rejection of attacks on places of worship and the terrorising of civilians.The ministry reiterated Qatar's unwavering position in rejecting violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of motives or reasons.It extended Qatar's condolences to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of Sudan, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

The State of Qatar Tuesday condemned, in the strongest terms, the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted the residential buildings housing several members of the Political Bureau of Hamas in Doha, noting that this criminal assault constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms, and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar.In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the security forces, civil defense, and relevant authorities immediately began addressing the incident and taking necessary measures to contain its repercussions and ensure the safety of the residents and surrounding areas.The ministry noted that while the State of Qatar strongly condemns this assault, it affirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and the ongoing disruption of regional security, nor any act that targets its security and sovereignty. It added that investigations are underway at the highest level, and further details will be announced as soon as they are available.

The State of Qatar condemned the statements made by the Israeli occupation's prime minister regarding his desire to displace Palestinians, describing them as a continuation of the occupation's policy of violating the rights of the Palestinian people, showing contempt for international laws and agreements, and reflecting its malicious attempts to undermine prospects for peace, particularly the two-state solution.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed in a statement Friday that the policy of collective punishment practiced by the occupation against Palestinians, including the ongoing brutal genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, its crimes in the West Bank, its violations of religious sanctities, its settlement expansion and Judaization plans for Jerusalem, and its restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid to civilians, will not succeed in forcing the Palestinian people to leave their land or in stripping them of their legitimate rights.The Ministry stressed the urgent need for the international community to stand firmly against the occupation's extremist and provocative policies, in order to prevent the cycle of violence in the region from continuing and spreading globally.The Ministry also reiterated that the only guarantee for achieving lasting peace in the Middle East is reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and the two-state solution. This would ensure the establishment of an independent and viable State of Palestine along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the enjoyment by the Palestinian people of their inalienable rights.

The State of Qatar has condemned the Israeli occupation's attack targeting the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), considering it a grave violation of the rules of international humanitarian law and Security Council Resolution 1,701. In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the State of Qatar's complete rejection of any aggression targeting the UNIFIL force, which plays a fundamental role in maintaining security and stability in Lebanon, stressing the need for an urgent investigation into this attack and for those responsible to be brought to justice. The ministry expressed Qatar's full solidarity with the Republic of Lebanon in its measures to preserve its security and stability, and reiterated its support for the efforts of the UNIFIL force in carrying out its duties in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions.

Qatar welcomed the announcement by Belgium of its intention to recognise the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly meetings this month. In a statement Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the step represents significant support for the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people and embodies the international community's consensus on the need to end the Israeli occupation and enable the Palestinian people to exercise self-determination and establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.The ministry also considered this announcement a positive development consistent with international legitimacy and relevant Security Council resolutions, and contributing to enhancing the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region. It reiterated Qatar's call for all countries that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to take similar steps that reflect a commitment to international law and support the historical and inalienable rights of the brotherly Palestinian people on their land.