HE the Prime Minister Declares Qatari Additional Bonds by 3 Bin.to Egypt

Doha, April 10 (QNA) -HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani and Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Hisham Qandil have confirmed that the talks Qandil held in Qatar were successful and positive and covered a host of issues especially the economic and investment ones. Addressing a joint press conference here on Wednesday , HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani and Qandil underlined the importance of relations existing between Qatar and Egypt stressing the need to enhance them further to the interest of the peoples of the two countries. HE the Qatari Premier and Foreign Minister announced that it has agreed that the Qatari government would add to its Egyptian counterpart bonds to the value of $ three billion noting that within the coming days the concerned parties in the two countries would work out details of such bonds or deposits. The Qatari senior official referred in this regard to the meeting held between HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and Egyptian President Dr. Mohamed Morsi during the 24th session of the arab summit held in Doha esarlier on march 26 where it was agreed on a study according to which Qatar will provide additional support to the brethren in Egypt. HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani made clear that HH the Heir Apparent stressed during a meeting here today with Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Hisham Qandil the importance that the Qatar-Egypt relations should continue in the same current pace and with the same momentum . HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani affirmed that the talk of HH the Heir Apparent in this respect were clearcut and supportive to Egypt. HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister pointed out that his talks with Egyptian Premier dealt with mutual affairs and covered the bulk of relations between the two sisterly countries especially in the investment field , affirming that the talks were highly positive and practical. The Qatari senior official further said that the talks also dealt in detail and clearly the possible areas of cooperation running in two-dimension on condition it secures the rights of each party including Qatar's contribution in all projects including the industrial ventures which the Egyptian goverment offers in this regard. The talks also dealt with assisting the Egyptian side in gas topic as being one of key matters to Egypt especially in the summer season .... adding ," There could be shortfall in gas for Egypt and we discuss how to cover such a shortage and to agree on covering the Egyptian position in exporting for a definite period to the extent that enables the Egyptian side to undertake such a matter". HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani told reporters that his talks with dr. hisham qandil also dealt with joint ventures of mutual concern and which already existing in Sharm El-Sheikh or Hurghada ....noting that these projects and investments have already started before more than 4 or 5 years and they are now under development . " The talks also covered how best to promote and develop these areas in a way that benefit the two sides", said HE the Prime Minister And Foreign Minister adding that he discussed with Qandil the iron and steel and the industrial areas the Egyoptian government would offer and in which the Qatari side will partake in. Replying to the reporters'questions, E HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani said that Qatar considers the Arab Republic Of Egypt the bigger sisterly country of the Arab world stressing meantime that Qatar is considered a strength to Egypt and a power to all Arabs ... saying that Qatar would continue that trend. Elaborating HE the Prime Minister and FM said before the Spring revolution there had been political differences between Egypt and Qatar pointing out that HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani visited Egypt immediately after the revolution and said ,he himself, visited Egypt . Responding to some media reports about the Qatari-Egyptian relations, HE the Prime Minister And Foreign Minister said," We are influenced by media but rather respect the serious and constructive media and also appreciate the other media and understand what it says and why ...Peoples have become now conscious and could distinguish between the good and the bad and know what is right and what is wrong in this topic", said HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani. HE the Prime Minister and FM regretted that some media organs interpret every thing positive as negative and underlined that such a matter would not affect Qatar's position in dealing with Egypt and the Egyptian People". HE the Qatari Premier and FM added ,""Our position in this regard is clear, namely we would continue backing Egypt and stand beside the brethren ", and voiced confidence that Egypt would stand up again politically and economically since it is a major country. Touching on whether Qatar's support to and cooperation with Egypt has somethting in return , HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani said," In fact, we did not ask the Egyptian government something in return for the Qatari support .... the Qatari support is offered on our part to the Egyptian people and to stand next to them in terms of a fraternal and nationalist dimension and has no return directly or indirectly and there is nothing under or above the table.... This is the principle of HH the Emir and the Heir Apparent, " HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister told reporters. Asked about the Qatari-Egyptian joint business council , HE Sheikhhamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani said the two countries are supporting such a council noting that it is important that such a joint council presents creative concepts to upgrade and further develop the work environment between Qatar and Egypt. "The two sides support the aforesaid matter which only concerns the private sector which should move practically and only rely on the two states in faciliating laws and decisions and other bilateral issues or agreements between the two countries... We always support the businessmen's councils especially the Qatari-Egyptian business council", said HE the Qatari Premier and FM . In a related development, HE agreed with Egyptian Premier Dr. Qandil that the Egyptian companies qualified for any project in Egypt do not need the sponsor system and can work directly and can be a partner with Qatari firms if they wish or desire or to work directly and in all cases , they , the Egyptian companies are welcomed to Qatar. Asked about the Qatari investments in Egypt, HE the Prime Minister and FM made clear that speaking in such areas of investment as others noting that these investment ventures would push forward the Qatari-Egyptian relations and pointed out that Qatar will partake in any tender or auction with the rest of the countries and companies that apply for investment in Egypt. In reply to another question pertaining to the influx of weapons into syria, HE the Prime Minister and FM said the topic of Syria is among the files discussed during his talks with the Egyptian Premier . HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani cautioned that there are states and individuals taking part in the influx of weapons into Syria , some of them support the government while the other support the opposition , stressing however that what is important is supporting the will of th Syrian people for liberating themselves from the situation they are passing through and which they do not accept. Elaborating HE the Qatari senior official said ," meeting the neends of the Syrian people is the main title which we have to agree upon and seek to realize". For his part, Egyptian Premier Dr. Qandil said his talks with HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani , have dealt with several topics, inter-alia how best o enhance further relations between the two countries. He further said that among the topics already taken up were the Qatari investments in Egypt and how to revive and consolidsate them further pointing out in this regard that the Qatari investment in Egypt is not as rumoured ...it came in the 18th or 20th position among the foreign investors in Egypt ...So we want to push the Qatari investments to better level in all the industrial , tourist , energy and oil sectors, the Egyptian premier told reporters. Elaborating , Qndil made clear ,'' Such a visit which was described as successful, is the outset of other visits the egyptian side is paying to several countries and expressed thanks to Qatar's continuing support to the Egyptian people especially after the 25th january ... This was translated not only in the form of visits by officials and businessmen , but through actions on the ground to the interest of the Egyptian people , the last of which was the additional deposit to the value of $ three billions in form of bonds to support the Egyptian economy", said Dr.Qandil. Concerning the legislative amendments , dr.Qandil explained that there are already amendments allowing the solution of disputes of investors through judicial framework, but outside the courts, but also ensures the right of the government and the Egyptian people and solve problems quickly and strongly. Qandil also pointed out that there numerous problems that have already been solved, noting that there are more than 60 companies and individuals whose respective problems were solved through the dispute settlement committees concerned. Asked about Qatari-Egyptian relations, Qandil said Egypt is home for all Arabs and enjoys good official and popular relations with Arab countries, adding that individual stances should not affect official and popular stances. Qandil noted that standing by Egypt is support for all Arab countries because everyone knows Egypt's value and that it is in everyone's interest that Egypt becomes better than before to support its Arab and African friends and resume its role as a responsible international player. As for Egyptian-Qatari cooperation, the Egyptian premier said the two sides agreed to solve the problems of mutli-billion-dollar projects that stopped, adding that the Qatari side has showed interest in taking up additional investments in Egypt. "The Egyptian economy is promising and opportunities are great, and there is full economic support from Qatar to Egypt." Qandil said the Qatar-Egyptian joint business council met in January and meets again during his visit and will submit a joint five-project proposal, adding that there will be great opportunities for Egyptian firms to participate in the preparations for the 2022 World Cup. "I'm sure the Egyptian companies will be up to the responsibility and do the required job in a timely fashion and in the manner required," Dr. Qandil told reporters. Concluding the joint press conference, Qandil thanked HH the Emir and the government and people of Qatar for their continued support and hospitality, expressing appreciation for the great urban renaissance in Qatar. (END)