Qatar seals 5-billion-euro navy vessels deal with Italy

Record ID: 904994

  • Title: Qatar seals 5-billion-euro navy vessels deal with Italy
  • Date: 2nd August 2017
  • Summary: DOHA, QATAR (AUGUST 2, 2017) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS QATAR'S FOREIGN MINISTER, SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN ABDULRAHMAN AL THANI, AND ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ANGELINO ALFANO, ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) QATARI FOREIGN MINISTER, SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN ABDULRAHMAN AL THANI, SAYING: "We had bilateral talks in which we discussed bilateral ties between the state of Qatar and Italy. We have very strong friendly and economic ties and also strong ties in the field of defence and security. Political consultation between our two countries is going on and I am pleased to announce the conclusion of a deal with the Qatari Emiri Navy to purchase seven navy units from Italy as part of a military cooperation programme between the two countries." (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ANGELINO ALFANO, SAYING: "The fight against terrorism and the fight against the financing of terrorism, these are all actions that we consider positive developments. In conclusion, I would like to congratulate my colleague and friend Sheikh Mohammed for the excellent work he's carried out in these weeks over this theme, these are efforts that I would describe in two words -- moderation and wisdom. I believe this is exactly what is needed in this delicate moment and therefore I express, once again, as I have expressed before, my wish that, as a gesture of goodwill, the land border between Qatar and (Saudi) Arabia is restored." (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) QATARI FOREIGN MINISTER, SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN ABDULRAHMAN AL THANI, SAYING: "For us, the main driving force in the coming moves is the Kuwaiti mediation. We are not concerned with any moves from the blockading countries and their decisions because we will not pay heed to new decisions that fail to come out with something new and which are contradictory. The state of Qatar will not bother itself by following up their perspective of the crisis. As for the US envoy, as we have said before all the international efforts support the Kuwaiti mediation and the main mediator, his Excellency Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah. This what defines the course of action and not the level of representation of each state? Definitely, the US role is very important in solving this crisis" (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ANGELINO ALFANO, SAYING: "....to take advantage of the Kuwaiti mediation to attempt a de-escalation of the tension and a restoration of normality in a very reasonable timeframe. This is the job I have already done. Thank you." (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) QATARI FOREIGN MINISTER, SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN ABDULRAHMAN AL THANI, SAYING: "Handshakes between the Saudi and the Iranian ministers is a personal affair and the state of Qatar is not in a place to judge bilateral ties of other countries, whether they are between blockading countries or not. Qatar is also demanding other states not to interfere in its bilateral ties with any country. As for the contradictions, many have shown up during this crisis which have not only been confined to handshakes." SHEIKH MOHAMMED, AND ALFANO LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 16th August 2017 18:06
  • Keywords: Doha Italian Foreign Minister Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani 7 naval units 5 billion euro deal with Italy
  • Location: DOHA, QATAR
  • City: DOHA, QATAR
  • Country: Qatar
  • Topics: Defence,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016SGSNYF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Qatar has concluded a 5 billion euro ($5.91 billion) deal with Italy for seven navy vessels, the Qatari foreign minister said on Wednesday (August 2), part of a military cooperation agreement between the two countries.
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani made the announcement at a news conference with his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano in Doha after talks about efforts to end a rift between Qatar and four Arab states.
    Italy's foreign minister, Angelino Alfano, is on a one-day visit to Doha.
    Qatar is embroiled in a dispute with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, which accuse it of supporting Islamists and regional foe Iran. Doha denies the allegation.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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