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