Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (R), and Foreign Minister walks alongside his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Doha on February 11, 2019. / AFP / KARIM JAAFAR
Doha: Qatar and France signed a deal Monday to cooperate on security and economic matters.
Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Doha to sign the "strategic dialogue" agreement.
The deal marked a "new phase" for the two countries, Al-Thani said during a press conference.
"This platform will include cooperation in different areas between the two countries, including defence security, regional security as well as energy, economy and culture," he added.
Le Drian said the agreement "obliges" Paris and Doha to have regular meetings.
Qatar last week took delivery of the first of 36 French-built Rafale fighter jets.
Qatar owns famed French football champions Paris Saint-Germain and next month will see the opening of Doha's multi-million dollar national museum, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel.
