Qatar, Russia FM s discuss bilateral relations

Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem al-Thani today stressed that his country is seriously thinking of closing Israeli commercial office in Doha.

In a joint press conference he held with his Russian counterpart Yevgeny Primakov in Moscow at the conclusion of their talks earlier in the day, Sheikh Hamad said Qatar is discussing the peace process with other Arab countries, noting a clear Arab position is needed in this respect.

The Qatari foreign minister expressed satisfaction over the talks he held with Primakov and described them as open and constructive, adding that his visit to Moscow reflects Qatar's desire to develop relations with Russia and exchange views between the two countries on bilateral relations. He added that his country has urged the peace process cosponsors, the US and Russia, to exert all efforts in order to get the peace process out of its stalemate, noting the Arab states are committed to peace as their strategic option, whereas the Israeli side is maneuvering to avoid implementing previously signed accords and froze negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese peace tracks.

For his part the Russian foreign minister expressed Russia's concern over the attempts made to separate the Syrian and Lebanese tracks and over the stumbled Palestinian - Israeli peace negotiations.

He described talks with his Qatari counterpart as very successful, noting Russia's interest in developing bilateral relations to establish stability in the region.

In conclusion of the Russian - Qatari relations an agreement on avoiding double taxation was signed. Also signed was a consultation protocol between the two countries foreign ministries aiming at exchanging expertise and training between the Qatari armed forces ministry and the Russian defense ministry.