Pedro Sánchez highlights Qatar's mediation work since the start of the crisis and calls for mutual recognition of Israel and Palestine

Doha (Qatar)

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, today concluded his official trip to the Middle East with a visit to Doha, where he met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, with whom he discussed the situation in Gaza, and with the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Jassim Al Thani, to discuss bilateral issues between Spain and Qatar. During the day, the President of the Government also held a meeting with important women in Qatari society and with representatives of Spanish companies with interests in the country.

Pedro Sánchez has taken stock of his second tour of the Middle East since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas, and of the meetings he has held with some of the region's key figures involved in seeking a resolution to this conflict to offer Spain's contribution to this endeavour. In this regard, he stressed that Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are pushing for various ceasefire efforts to address the dramatic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, release Israeli hostages and maintain stability in the region.

The President of the Government lamented that since his first trip to the Middle East at the beginning of the legislature the situation "has only worsened. The death toll in Gaza has doubled, the humanitarian catastrophe continues to worsen, and violence continues beyond the Strip, particularly in the West Bank," he pointed out. During his audience with the emir of Qatar, the president emphasised that the mediation efforts being made by Qatar to put an end to the war are essential, above all to unblock the ceasefire, to ensure the entry of humanitarian aid and to press for the release of hostages.

He also shared the concern expressed to him by King Abdullah II regarding the humanitarian situation, underlining the many initiatives that Jordan is developing to alleviate the humanitarian crisis of the people of Gaza, in which Spain is collaborating.

In this context, he highlighted the implications of the crisis for the region, which he discussed with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. "We must avoid further escalation at all costs," he stressed in his media appearance in Qatar.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, along with Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, have formed the 'Arab Quintet' to push for a 'day after' proposal. In this regard, the president offered "Spain's full support, both at the national level and in seeking consensus with the EU and the international community".

Pedro Sánchez highlighted the United Nations Security Council resolution that finally called for a ceasefire, and the important steps taken by the EU in the conclusions adopted during the last European Council, which call for a halt to the violence and respect for international humanitarian law, demanding the entry of humanitarian aid in sufficient quantity to alleviate the catastrophe and urging Israel not to undertake a military operation on Rafah. In this regard, the EU insists that there can only be a sustainable and lasting peace through a two-state solution. The president has once again called for a permanent ceasefire.

He also insisted that "it is essential that the EU plays an active role in finding solutions. Our credibility in demanding respect for the principles on which our political project is based and in upholding international standards is in question. Our security is at stake," he stressed.

Among other issues addressed, the President of the Government reviewed relations between Spain and Qatar with the Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, which both described as excellent, signalled by the Joint Declaration adopted after the visit by the emir of Quatar in May 2022, which elevated the relationship to the rank of strategic, deepening political and economic ties between the two countries. In this vein, the two leaders today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch the 'First Strategic Dialogue' envisaged in the 2022 Declaration.

Meeting with representatives of Spanish companies

During the day he spent in Qatar, the President of the Government met with more than fifteen representatives of Spanish companies with interests there, with whom he was able to discuss possible investment plans for these companies, as well as listen to their concerns.

Pedro Sánchez highlighted the great work carried out by Spanish companies in the Qatari market and their participation in major projects such as the construction of the stadiums for the 2022 Football World Cup, the construction of the Doha metro, the expansion of the LNG production facilities at the North Field, and other key infrastructures in the energy, water, transport and civil construction sectors. He also expressed his satisfaction at the good image they leave of the Spanish brand through their work.

The president stressed that Qatar is a strategic and reliable partner for Spain and, in addition to being key to energy security, it is a key investment partner, being the second largest investor in Spain among the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Pedro Sánchez also mentioned the sovereign wealth fund 'Qatar Investment Authority', which has a strong presence in Spain through investments in high value-added sectors.

In this context, Pedro Sánchez highlighted the creation of the Government of Spain's investment fund, aimed at attracting foreign capital to Spanish companies that undertake strategic investments in activities linked to the objectives of the Recovery Plan. He stressed that, after the meeting, "I can say with satisfaction that the Qatari market, like the Saudi market, continues to offer excellent investment opportunities for our companies, which are more than willing to continue contributing their experience and undoubted added value to the economic development of the country".

Meeting with prominent women in Qatari society

The President of the Government held a meeting with seven women leaders in different areas of Qatari society, including business, sport and science. He was able to exchange points of view on the economic and social growth that Qatar is experiencing, conveying to the women that the Government of Spain considers its bilateral relations with Qatar to be strategic.

The President of the Government has also highlighted the value of the Feminist Foreign Policy, which he has promoted and which is committed to advancing feminist approaches, eliminating indirect and structural barriers for all women and girls, while at the same time integrating the gender perspective into all government action. In this regard, he also highlighted the approval of the Draft Organic Law on Equal Representation and the balanced presence of women and men. Pedro Sánchez emphasised that the commitment to an increasing role for women in prominent positions is key to the construction of a better society.

Non official translation