The governments of France and Qatar have been continuing their joint efforts aimed at achieving a more orderly international atmosphere and preserving the global public interest, with health and the environment at the forefront.
This was stressed by French ambassador Franck Gellet in a statement issued Tuesday on the occasion of France's National Day.
"France and Qatar have faced the Covid-19 challenge and will continue to do so," he said at the beginning of his statement. "We, the French expatriates in Qatar, and our Qatari friends cannot get together as usual tonight on the occasion of France's National Day. At least we feel happy that the grand cultural initiative, the Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture, is coinciding with the gradual return to a normal way of life after overcoming the disease and gradually lifting the restrictions."
He spoke about about the renowned artist, Pablo Picasso, more than 100 of whose extraordinary works are being displayed at the Doha Fire Station as part of the Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture initiative.
It could be recalled that Qatar Museums recently unveiled the special exhibition, Picasso’s Studios, at the Garage Gallery, Doha Fire Station. The exhibition features artworks by Picasso selected from the unparalleled collection of the Musée national Picasso in Paris, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and ceramics.
"It is a great message of hope and a great reminder of our deep, strong relations. This make us look beyond the Covid-19 stage as our mutual support increases. A year ago, our relations reached the top with an unprecedented volume of trade exchange in addition to the delivery of the first batch of Rafale aircraft. Also, a number of pioneering names in the field of French industrial engineering have been selected to share their expertise and capabilities in the field of water and solar energy management," the envoy said.
"Our governments have been continuing with their joint efforts aimed at achieving a more orderly international atmosphere and preserving the global public interest, with health and the environment at the forefront," he noted.
He stressed that the French community in Qatar feels comfortable in the country and appreciates the care provided by the Qatari government all throughout the health crisis thanks to the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir.
Gellet said, "I would like to thank him on behalf of all on this occasion. I would like also to affirm, to His Highness, the steadfast friendship of France - especially during the past three years when Qatar has faced big challenges.
"I would like to affirm, to all our Qatari friends, that the French community in Qatar is determined to move alongside them, looking forward to the great moments to come with the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
"Happy National Day to the French in Qatar, and long live the Qatar-France friendship."