In the important and stabilizing role they play Hellas and Cataract the President of the Republic mentioned in our wider area Katerina Sakellaropoulou welcoming the Emir of Qatar to the Presidential Palace Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thaniwho is visiting Athens for the first time.

After stressing that “the friendly relations between Greece and Qatar are based on mutual respect and our common commitment to the fundamental principles of International Law”, Mrs. Sakellaropoulou underlined that “with this in mind, our two countries play an important and stabilizing role in our wider region ».

He also asserted that “at this difficult moment for the Middle East, my country highly appreciates Qatar’s mediation role in the armed conflict in the Gaza Strip and the enormous humanitarian crisis that has been created there” and noted that “Greece will continue to strive to contribute to an immediate and sustainable ceasefire.”

“In this context, our collective efforts should be intensified, in order to achieve the cessation of hostilities, the release of hostages and the assurance of an uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid,” said the President of the Republic and emphasized that “we hope for peace in the region and we support the two-state solution within the framework of International Law”.

Referring to the bilateral relations between Greece and Qatar, she asserted that “there are significant opportunities and possibilities to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation in many fields” and expressed her certainty that the visit of the Emir of Qatar to Athens “gives an important message, it is an important leap in our bilateral relations”.

For his part, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, after thanking the President of the Republic for the warm welcome, expressed his gratitude and joy for his first visit to Athens and wished to contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relations relationships.

He reminded that 50 years have already passed since the beginning of diplomatic relations between the two countries and agreed with Mrs. Sakellaropoulou that there are many opportunities and possibilities for strengthening them.

He also noted that “we appreciate the role and attitude of Greece regarding the war in Gaza” and stressed that “unfortunately, there are massacres committed every day against the Palestinian people in Gaza and other areas”.

As he said: “There are millions of people in the city of Rafah who are suffering, unfortunately there are massacres, I cannot describe how this situation is happening. We are talking about Rafa, there are massacres that take place every day, but for eight months, from the North to the South, these tragedies have been happening every day.”

He pointed out that “Qatar’s position is known – we are in favor of the two-state solution and for the two countries, the two peoples, to live in peace in the region” and added:

“We are working with our friends the Greeks to send humanitarian aid, and we are also working to free the people who are being held there. This is a human issue, we are working on it and all the people who are there should return to their families, to their parents.”