HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday evening.
They reviewed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and means of enhancing them, and discussed the latest developments in the region, especially regarding the crisis between Qatar and some Gulf Arab countries.
Putin reiterated Russia’s supportive stance for resolving the crisis between Qatar and the Gulf countries through dialogue, based on mutual respect and diplomatic and political ways.
On his part, HH the Emir expressed thanks for Russia’s stance, his personal interest in strengthening the solid relations between the two friendly countries and his position calling for maintaining stability in the Gulf region.
HH the Emir also held a telephonic conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on the latest developments in the region, especially those pertaining to relations between the Arab Gulf states.
President Macron affirmed his desire to develop relations between France and Qatar for the benefit of the two friendly countries. In addition, he voiced his intention to exert efforts through consultation with friendly countries in order to find a solution to the crisis between Qatar and its neighbours and reduce the tension between them.
HH the Emir expressed his appreciation for the French president’s position and keenness to enhance the strategic relations between the two countries as well as his position to maintain relations between the Gulf states.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said isolating Qatar, including by the use of sanctions, would not resolve any problems, adding that Ankara would do everything in its power to help end the crisis.
“Isolating Qatar will not resolve any problem,” Erdogan said in a speech following an Iftar dinner. “We are and we will do everything we can to resolve this crisis.”
Erdogan said he has spoken to French President Macron, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri and Jordan’s King Abdullah, among others, as part of a diplomatic push toward resolving the rift.
“I hope sanctions will be lifted soon,” he said, in comments broadcast live on television.
A Turkish presidential source said earlier that Erdogan had also spoken with leaders of Qatar, Russia, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on lowering the tension.
In a related development, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel yesterday warned against completely isolating Qatar and said the move was an attack on the Gulf state’s very existence.
He also accused US President Donald Trump of stirring up conflicts in the Middle East and risking a new arms race as Qatar’s neighbours cut ties with Doha. “I am very concerned with the dramatic escalation and the consequences for the whole region,” he said.
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