Qatar has strengthened its relations and cooperation with the European Union in diverse fields since the signing of a cooperation agreement between the EU and the GCC countries in 1988. Qatar and the EU share objectives of peace and sustainable development around the world and have forged constructive cooperation in that regard over the years.
Taking these ties further, the European Union has opened its office in Doha. President of the European Council H E Charles Michel, who inaugurated the EU office yesterday, also called on Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, where they discussed Qatar-EU cooperation, especially in the energy field.
Doha and Brussels had agreed in February this year to open an EU delegation office in Qatar.
The development comes against the backdrop of an energy crunch facing Europe due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The EU Council President said cooperation with Qatar is an important way to jointly overcome these difficult challenges. The two sides have also held political consultations and are working on a number of measures including exempting Qatari nationals from the visa requirement to enter the bloc. The exemption is expected to come into effect very soon. In June 2022, a European Council launched the process to provide for visa-free travel for the citizens of Qatar and Kuwait when travelling to the EU for a maximum duration of 90 days per 180-day period. The development aims to strengthen people-to-people contacts and travel between the EU and the GCC countries.
Ambassador-designate of the EU to Qatar Dr. Cristian Tudor lauded Qatar’s role and efforts for security, stability and peace in the region and the world. He said the great momentum witnessed by Qatar-EU relations reflects political will, keenness and firm desire by both sides to strengthen the partnership. Major areas of cooperation include energy, security and stability, green transformation, and digitisation among others.
Qatar’s trade with the European Union has also grown over the years. Qatar’s imports from the EU are greater than any other economic bloc. Overall, GCC is the EU’s fifth largest export market, and the EU is the grouping’s biggest trading partner, according to Qatar’s Embassy in Brussels.
The opening of the EU office in Doha will deepen the partnership especially in the fields of energy, trade, development and security. Qatar has also collaborated with several EU member states on World Cup preparations.
