The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, met with Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra to discuss Ukraine, global energy security and regional developments. This is what the Dutchman indicated in a tweet on Thursday (January 12).
According to Mr. Hoekstra, this meeting made it possible to strengthen the “ good bilateral relations ” between the two countries, because Qatar “ contributes to stability ” in an “ unpredictable geopolitical context ”.
Among the topics discussed during their meeting, Mr. Hoekstra indicated that Ukraine, global energy security and regional developments were among the common interests of the two states.
Second Tweet
In a second tweet, he also said that the Netherlands “greatly appreciate Qatar’s support in allowing people from Afghanistan to transit safely to the Netherlands via Doha”.
A meeting against the backdrop of a corruption scandal
Last month, the European Parliament halted its activities with Qatar, as MEPs demanded the creation of an independent ethics body and the opening of an investigation into the Qatargate corruption scandal.
Qatar then deplored the corruption investigation carried out by Belgium as well as the suspension of the access of the Gulf country to the European Parliament. For Doha, this decision could have a “negative” impact on the bloc’s relations and natural gas supply.
“ I look forward to continuing our partnership and expanding our cooperation in other areas ”, concluded Mr. Hoekstra on Twitter.
This article is originally published on euractiv.fr
