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Egyptian PM Visits Qatar for 1st Time in Decade

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani meets with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in Doha on Monday. (QNA)
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani meets with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in Doha on Monday. (QNA)
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Egyptian PM Visits Qatar for 1st Time in Decade

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani meets with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in Doha on Monday. (QNA)
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani meets with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in Doha on Monday. (QNA)

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani held talks in Doha on Monday with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

It was the first visit by an Egyptian premier to Qatar in nearly a decade.

Sheikh Tamim and Madbouly reviewed cooperation relations between their countries and ways to develop them.

They also tackled regional and international developments of interest, reported Qatar’s state news agency (QNA).

Madbouly described Egyptian-Qatar relations as “strong,” underlining his country’s keenness on increasing the size of Qatar investments in Egypt.

He also expressed keenness on increasing trade between Cairo and Doha, saying it currently “falls short of the capabilities of the countries and the aspirations of their people.”

The PM’s visit is another sign of the improved relations between Egypt and Qatar.

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi had paid a visit to Qatar in September, his first since coming to power in 2014.

The trip was possible after the signing of the AlUla Declaration in Saudi Arabia in January 2021. The declaration helped resolve the dispute between Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt with Qatar.

Sheikh Tamim said on Monday that relations with Egypt are developing positively

He noted that despite global challenges, Egypt still boasts great capabilities, adding that it was necessary for its development plans to continue.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.