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FRENCH, QATARI LEADERS DISCUSS BILATERAL TIES, MIDEAST SITUATION
PARIS, OCT 10 (KUNA) -- FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC AND THE EMIR OF
QATAR, SHEIKH HAMAD BIN KHALIFA AL-THANI, MET HERE TUESDAY TO DISCUSS MAINLY
BILATERAL RELATIONS, BUT ALSO TO REVIEW THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIDDLE
EAST CRISIS.
OFFICIAL SOURCES SAID THAT THE TALKS PRINCIPALLY FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC
COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES, MAINLY IN THE AREA OF INDUSTRIAL
PROJECTS.
THE TWO COUNTRIES HAVE STRENGTHENED COOPERATION OVER THE YEARS IN A NUMBER
OF DOMAINS, ESPECIALLY IN THE ENERGY SECTOR, BUT FRANCE IS ALSO A MAJOR
SUPPLIER OF ARMS TO QATAR.
THE FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY SAID THAT THE VISIT BY SHEIKH HAMAD WAS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO BROADEN BILATERAL RELATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY VERY STRONG AND
ACTIVE IN THE POLITICAL,ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND DEFENSE DOMAINS.
THE TALKS ON TUESDAY ALSO ADDRESSED THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND
THE UNREST AND VIOLENCE OPPOSING PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS AND ISRAELI ARMED
FORCES.
BOTH CHIRAC AND SHEIKH HAMAD CALLED FOR A RAPID DE-ESCALATION OF THE CRISIS
THAT HAS KILLED ABOUT 100 PEOPLE AND WOUNDED THOUSANDS, AND THEY EXPRESSED
DEEP CONCERN OVER THE ONGOING CONFLICT AND ITS IMPACT ON THE PEACE PROCESS.
BOTH MEN EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS TO PRESERVE THE GAINS ALREADY MADE
IN THE TORTUOUS MIDDLE EAST PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. (END)
JK.JA
KUNA 101527 Oct 00NNNN