Allegations against Qatar false, misleading: Costa Rican minister

Costa Rica's Second Vice-President and Minister of Sports Mary Munive Angermuller has expressed her appreciation for the exceptional arrangements and preparations by Qatar for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, describing them as wonderful and beautiful. In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), she noted that the World Cup 2022 made it possible to meet various nationalities and cultures on the land of Qatar and learn at the same time about its culture and civilisation, architecture, museums, and traditional clothing and food, adding that it also made it possible to witness the country's renaissance, its advanced infrastructure, the hospitality and generosity of its people and its respect for others.
She stressed that everyone is now living this unique experience of the Qatar World Cup, which has become a source of happiness and joy for those who attend it or watch its various activities. Angermuller denounced the organised smear campaigns that Qatar has been subjected to since it won the bid to host the World Cup, describing them as misleading, irresponsible and baseless allegations, adding, in a related context, that she believe that irresponsible journalism exists everywhere and her country Costa Rica is no exception.
She said that the press has not performed its journalistic role as it should, explaining that it might be behind this false information against Qatar. She confirmed that her arrival and presence in Qatar, her awareness of people's lifestyle, and the respect and hospitality they provide to their guests, revealed to her the falsity of those campaigns and the incorrect information they broadcast and spread.
She stressed that Qatar's unique and exceptional World Cup experience deserves to be conveyed to others to tell them: come and see the truth for yourself; try this cultural sharing that is different from what you are used to and enjoy the game and the atmosphere of Qatar, which is very wonderful. Angermuller added that the truth is that the mere presence in Qatar to be part of the 32 countries participating in the World Cup and the ability to raise the flag of the country in this part of the world and sing our national anthem among large numbers of different nationalities is a great honour for any athlete, especially for us as representatives of our government.
She warned that the fake media campaigns against Qatar and the World Cup are intended primarily to detract from the real goal of the tournament, which is to unite everyone to enjoy this global football event.
She emphasised the great importance of this edition of the World Cup, which is being held in the Middle East for the first time, especially in terms of introducing this strategic region of the world and promoting openness and cultural communication between the people of the region and the people of the whole world, pointing out that without the Qatar World Cup, all these crowds of masses and fans would not have come to the region and Qatar in particular to see for themselves and verify the falsity of the media and refute its allegations, and experience at the same time openness and cultural exchange.
She said Costa Rica was no exception, and they are really happy to come to Qatar, explaining that their delegation consists of about 2,000 people who came to get to know this region of the world, which would not have been possible without the World Cup in Qatar. Angermuller hailed the relations between Qatar and Costa Rica.
She said the relations began strongly after 2010, noting that the Qatari embassy in the capital, San Jose, was the first embassy of a Middle Eastern country there.
She explained that during her visit to Doha, she met with a number of officials and expressed to them her country's thanks and gratitude for the assistance provided by Qatar to confront the disaster of Hurricane Otto that struck Costa Rica in 2016, in addition to the medical aid and vaccinations that Qatar provided to Costa Rica with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, which enabled Costa Rica to control the pandemic. She affirmed that Costa Rica is grateful to Qatar for all that and will never forget it.
She underlined that the Costa Rican government, which was formed six months ago, will continue the path of close relations with Qatar, noting that Costa Rica enjoys environmental and cultural richness and looks forward to exchanging experiences with Qatar and continuing to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. (QNA)