Qatar, Bulgaria hold round of political consultation
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi headed the Qatari side, while the Bulgarian side was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Maria Angelieva.
The political consultations round dealt with relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, in addition to a host of topics of common interest.
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Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar working to bridge gaps in Gaza ceasefire talks: Al Ansari
Hanane Djoua Doha Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari has affirmed that the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, currently hosted by Doha, aim to bridge the gap between the two parties regarding the negotiating framework. 'Both the Palestinian and Israeli delegations are in Doha, and discussions are currently under way with each delegation separately, with the aim of creating anappropriate environment for agreement on key issues between the two sides,' Dr Al Ansari said during the weekly media briefing on Tuesday. He said separate discussions are being held with each side in an effort to bridge the gap between them. The focus, he said, is on establishing a 'negotiation framework'—a document that precedes official talks. This framework would serve as a foundation for agreement on core issues before entering the final phase of negotiations. 'The negotiations are still ongoing, and it is too early to provide impressions about their outcome. But we can say that the discussions are continuing, and the parties are present and engaged here in Doha.' Dr Al Ansari expressed appreciation for the role of the United States in supporting the mediation efforts and noted that both the Qatari and Egyptian mediation teams are working around the clock in Doha in pursuit of a viable negotiation framework. He added that there is still hope surrounding the current efforts. Dr Al Ansari also addressed reports of statements made by Israeli officials regarding plans for the displacement of Palestinians, reiterating Qatar's clear and longstanding opposition to any such actions. He stressed that Qatar is against any forced transfer of Palestinians, whether outside or within their homeland. 'Palestinians, like any people in the world, have the right to exist where their land lies,' he said, referencing international law. He called on the international community to support Qatar's position and noted that there is widespread international rejection of any attempts to remove Palestinians from Gaza. 'This is their land,' he said. Dr Al Ansari clarified that the discussions currently under way do not represent the start of formal negotiations but are aimed at agreeing on a framework to reduce the time needed for actual talks once they begin. 'We are still in the framework stage,' he noted. 'That's why we are discussing principles that will allow the negotiations to be more efficient. It is too early to speak about where the negotiations will lead, but there is engagement from both sides.' He stressed that the Qatari and Egyptian mediation teams continue their work with the goal of building consensus around the framework. 'This process needs time,' he said. 'We are working around the clock, but it's too soon to provide a timeframe.' Dr Al Ansari affirmed that the ultimate goal of the mediation efforts is to end the war and the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza. He explained that the document under discussion is an agreed framework for the negotiations, not a final agreement. It includes the conditions for a ceasefire and the guarantees required to ensure that the truce leads to positive outcomes. 'We are not yet talking about a final agreement,' he said. 'We are focusing on the ceasefire and what it could lead to in terms of resuming talks toward a lasting solution to this humanitarian catastrophe.' Turning to the Afghan file, Dr Al Ansari confirmed that Qatar continues to communicate with the caretaker government in Afghanistan and maintains confidence in its role supporting the Afghan people. He reviewed Qatar's contributions to peace and stability in Afghanistan, including the mediation between the Taliban and the United States that led to the US troop withdrawal, representation of foreign missions including American interests in Kabul, and the hosting of meetings between UN envoys and Afghan officials in Doha. He emphasized that the question of recognition is a sovereign matter and part of broader international understandings, with each country free to handle it as it sees fit. He said Qatar welcomes the security and stability measures taken by the Afghan caretaker government but acknowledged there are still areas of ongoing discussion. Qatar continues its role as a mediator between the Afghan authorities and the international community. 'There is currently no new information regarding formal recognition or natural resumption of Egyptian relations,' he said. 'However, there is a functioning Afghan mission in Doha, and we hope to strengthen ties with the caretaker government and the Afghan people.' Dr Al Ansari referenced recent statements by US President Donald Trump supporting progress in the Gaza talks and affirmed that Qatar builds on this through joint mediation with the United States. However, he clarified that issues beyond the scope of mediation—such as bilateral matters between Israel and the US—do not fall within Qatar's role, except where they directly relate to the American stance on mediation. He stated that the ongoing Gaza negotiations in Doha are now in their third day and that both delegations remain present in the country. While no timeline can yet be given, he described the presence of the delegations and their engagement as positive. 'This is still the early phase,' he said, cautioning against premature expectations. 'Mediation is, by definition, a difficult process. We are sitting between two sides in the context of an ongoing war.' Nonetheless, the fact that both parties are engaging seriously and remain in Doha, he concluded, is itself a positive development.
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
Euro club to get bigger as Bulgaria due to join in 2026
Agencies European Union ministers greenlighted on Tuesday Bulgaria's bid to adopt the euro as of Jan. 1, 2026, making it the single currency area's 21st member following Croatia, which was the last to switch to the common currency in 2023. Bulgaria's switch from the lev to the euro comes nearly 19 years after the country of 6.4 million people joined the EU. 'We did it!' Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov said. 'We thank all institutions, partners and everyone whose efforts made this landmark moment possible. The government remains committed to a smooth and effective transition to the euro in the interest of all citizens,' Jeliazkov said on X. In adopting the legal texts necessary for the move, EU finance ministers officially set the euro at 1.95583 Bulgarian lev. 'Joining the euro area is much more than just about replacing the lev with the euro. It is about building a brighter and more prosperous future for Bulgaria and its citizens at the heart of Europe,' EU economy chief Valdis Dombrovskis said after the approval. 'The euro will bring new opportunities, investments, jobs and growth,' he said. The European Commission last month said the EU's poorest country had fulfilled the strict conditions to adopt the euro, while the ECB also gave a positive opinion. Bulgaria's journey to joining the eurozone has had a stormy political backdrop with seven elections in three years, the last in October 2024. But recent polls show Bulgarian society remains divided on the euro, with experts attributing the scepticism largely to fears of rising prices and declining purchasing power. President Rumen Radev shocked many when he proposed holding a referendum on the matter, but that was given short shrift by the Bulgarian parliament. Since June, protesters have gathered in Sofia to call for 'keeping the Bulgarian lev.' A symbolic protest camp with several tents has been set up near the presidency and the Bulgarian National Bank in the opposition parties have used the issue to promote anti-EU narratives. Proponents in Bulgaria, however, insist the move will help improve the country's economy, and reinforce its ties to the West and protect against Russia's influence. 'The political benefits are becoming increasingly significant, as the protests against the euro seem to bear the mark of the Kremlin,' 43-year-old musician Veselin Dimitrov told AFP.
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Pavilion marks National Day at Expo 2025
QNA Osaka The Qatar Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, hosted a special celebration marking Qatar's National Day, as part of the official celebrations organised by the Expo Committee for participating countries. The event was attended by Minister of Culture HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Thani, Her Imperial Highness Princess Hisako Takamado, Ambassador of Qatar to Japan and Commissioner-General HE Jaber bin Jarallah Al Marri, Deputy Commissioner-General and Chair of Qatar's Expo 2025 Organising Committee HE Sheikh Ali bin Alwaleed Al Thani, and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture HE Dr. Ghanim bin Mubarak Al Ali. They were joined by senior officials, diplomats, and pavilion visitors from around the world. Ambassador Al Marri emphasised that celebrating Qatar National Day at such a global platform reflects a deep pride in national identity and cultural heritage, and embodies the core values upon which the State was founded, such as unity, generosity, and openness to the world. He also highlighted that Qatar's participation at Expo 2025 reaffirms the depth of the strategic partnership with Japan and reflects the country's commitment to addressing regional and global priorities. The celebration, the ambassador added, offered a valuable opportunity to strengthen mutual understanding and people-to-people connections between the Qatari and Japanese communities, as well as with the broader international audience. The Expo offers a multicultural environment that promotes cultural exchange and international cooperation, in line with Qatar National Vision aimed to foster intercultural dialogue and global cooperation. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture HE Dr. Ghanim bin Mubarak Al Ali affirmed that the National Day celebration is a significant opportunity to share Qatar's cultural heritage with a global audience. He noted that the ministry's participation underscores its commitment to promoting cultural exchange, fostering meaningful dialogue. Deputy Commissioner General and Chair of Qatar's Expo 2025 Organising Committee HE Sheikh Ali bin Alwaleed Al Thani emphasised that hosting Qatar's National Day celebration marks a proud milestone in the country's broader participation at this global event. He noted that the celebration not only introduces the Japanese and international communities to Qatar's rich culture and aspirations but also reflects the forward-looking vision shaping its future through the Pavilion's distinctive immersive design and interactive programming. The event featured a documentary about Qatar, produced by the Ministry of Culture, followed by a series of cultural performances showcasing Qatari cultural heritage. Following the event, the Minister of Culture and Her Imperial Highness, accompanied by officials and diplomats, toured both the Qatari and Japanese pavilions. The Qatar Pavilion, under the theme 'From the Coastline, We Progress', drew significant interest from the Expo visitors, offering a vivid reflection of Qatar's national identity and the country's ongoing development journey. The pavilion presents a rich, multi-sensory interactive experience, beginning with Qatar's maritime heritage and extending across key themes, including hospitality, identity, art, architecture, nature, and innovation. It also showcases the facets of cooperation between Qatar and Japan in education, energy, economy, and culture. At the conclusion of the event, the organising committee extended an invitation to visitors from around the world to explore the Qatar Pavilion and immerse themselves in the rich cultural essence and enduring charm of the nation.
