Gulf crisis should be resolved through talks

DOHA: Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Yoka Brandt, has said that Gulf crisis is not good for anyone and it should be resolved through direct talks.

“Gulf crisis is not good for anybody neither Qatar nor other countries involved from the region and the world. Therefore, the Netherlands supports Kuwait initiative and direct-talks between (concerned) countries for its resolution,” she said while talking to media at the inauguration of new premises of the Embassy of the Netherlands.

The new premises of the Embassy of the Netherlands was inaugurated by Yoka Brandt and Secretary-General, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar, H E Dr. Ahmad Hassan Al Hamadi yesterday at Alfardan Office Tower, West Bay.

Brandt said that she was happy over inauguration of new premises as it was sign of expanding bilateral relations. “It is a new chapter in the relations between the Netherlands and Qatar. Old premises was too small. Staff is expanding with expansion in bilateral relations,” she said.

She said that bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Qatar were long-lasting and outstanding. “They are at all levels; government to government, royal family to royal family, businessmen to businessmen and also among institutions,” she added.

Yoka Brandt said that during her visit to Qatar, she had very good meetings with her counterpart Dr. Ahmad Hassan Al Hamadi in which bilateral, regional and international issues were discussed.

The Netherlands ambassador to Qatar, Dr Bahia Tahzib-Lie said: “The new Embassy underscores the expanding bilateral relationship between Qatar and the Netherlands with growing trade and investment and stronger people-to- people connections.” She said that the existing Embassy would be completely shifted to the new premises by the end of May 2108.

“It is great to see that Qatar and the Netherlands connect, inspire and complement each other across a wide range of sectors. Take energy, agriculture, art, human rights, health-care and sports for example. The Netherlands highly values its partnership with Qatar, both now and in the years ahead,” the ambassador added.

Dr Bahia Tahzib-Lie said that the trade relation between both countries amounts to around 800 million Euros. “Dutch export to Qatar increased by 33 percent during 2017 to reach 526 million Euros.” She further said that the Netherlands Embassy is keen on deepening the cooperation between Qatar and the Netherlands in a wide array of fields of mutual interest that binds the two countries.