(Adnkronos) – Strong political and economic ties as well as regional and international issues centred on the Middle East were the focus of talks in Doha between foreign ministry secretary-general Riccardo Guariglia and senior Qatari officials, the ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Guariglia’s talks with foreign minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al- Khulaifi, with his counterpart at Qatar’s foreign ministry Ahmad Hassen al-Hammadi and with foreign ministry spokesman and prime ministerial advisor Majed al-Ansari covered Italy’s “excellent” cooperation with the Gulf state as well as the situation in Gaza, Syria, Libya and Iran, according to the statement.
“During his various meetings, which were marked by the utmost friendship and cordiality, he (Guariglia) reviewed key issues of bilateral interest, within the framework of the excellent political and economic cooperation that currently exist between Italy and Qatar,” said the statement.
Guariglia was also able to “exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, from the Gaza crisis to Syria, from Libya to Iran,” the statement continued.
During his visit on Sunday, Guariglia met representatives of the main Italian companies operating in Qatar, underlining to them the foreign ministry’s “strong determination” to support Italian companies around the world, thanks especially to foreign minister Antonio Tajani’s growth diplomacy strategy, the statement said.
In a sign of Italy and Qatar’s “strong cultural ties”, Guariglia attended a preview of Italian multimedia visual artist Davide Quayola’s ‘Nuovo Paesaggio’ exhibition in Doha the statement continued.
Quayola’s exhibition is being supported by Italy embassy, “confirming the strong cultural ties between the two countries and Italy’s commitment to promoting our country’s artistic excellence,” the statement added.
Guariglia’s final appointment in Doha was a meeting with embassy staff and with staff from the Italy’s embassy in the Afghan capital Kabul, which has been moved to Qatar, the statement noted.
At Italy’s relocated embassy to Afghanistan in Doha, Guariglia inaugurated a red bench, symbolising violence against women and girls, the statement concluded.
