SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE from Doha, from Ecopolitic.ro’s special correspondent Iulian Ionescu – Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu held joint press statements on Wednesday with H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Prime Minister announced that he was accompanied by several government ministers from strategic areas of mutual interest such as transport, energy, economy, agriculture and digitalisation. „We are considering projects with a total value of more than 15 billion euros. I would like Romania to be the gateway for Qatar’s investments in the European Union. In this regard, I have proposed to His Excellency to set up a task force to be operational very quickly, in a maximum of one month, in which all these priority projects will be analysed,” he said.
The priority is the Port of Constanta, which has become the most important distribution hub on the Black Sea. We need the expertise and experience of Qatari companies
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu’s speech in Qatar
„Your Excellency,
I came here full of hope for this official visit, convinced that in complicated times we must find new opportunities for dialogue and cooperation with countries with which we share common visions and values in this difficult international context.
Qatar is a respected security broker in the Middle East, just as Romania is a recognised factor of stability in Eastern Europe.
That is why I am here to send a strong message that Romania stands by Qatar, so that together with the United States, partners in the European Union and in the region, we can support efforts for peace and for restoring security in the Middle East.
I fully agree that we must adopt a balanced position and encourage the parties to show immediate restraint to prevent dangerous developments.
Diplomacy and dialogue must be stronger than weapons. And Qatar’s long-standing role as a mediator in complex international issues will certainly be a strong argument for de-escalation.
That is why I have conveyed to Your Excellency that Romania is ready to join regional and international efforts to be part of a constructive solution to avoid the spread of conflict in the Middle East.
The role of an actor with significant regional influence was recently demonstrated by the State of Qatar in facilitating negotiations that led to the safe release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, including some Romanian citizens.
In this regard, allow me to thank you, Your Excellency, both in my capacity as Prime Minister and on my own behalf, for the efforts you have made to ensure that our Romanians return home safely.
For me, such gestures of deep friendship – such as your support during the pandemic when you donated medical equipment and sanitary supplies to Romania – are concrete proof that our countries have the capacity to build a deep partnership that has strategic value.
And I believe that this partnership must be extremely pragmatic and built around concrete economic projects and investments.
This is why I am accompanied by several ministers from the Government, from strategic areas of mutual interest such as transport, energy, economy, agriculture and digitalisation.
We are considering projects with a total value of more than €15 billion. I want Romania to be the gateway for Qatar to invest in the European Union. In this regard, I have proposed to His Excellency to set up a task force to be operational very quickly, in a maximum of one month, in which all these priority projects will be analysed.
We have a very concrete joint plan. I will detail all these investment opportunities together with the relevant ministers during the meeting I will have today with the Qatar Sovereign Wealth Fund, one of the most solid and important in the world.
The priority is the Port of Constanta which has become the most important Black Sea distribution hub for Central and Eastern Europe.
We want to develop the Port of Constanta to play a key role as a logistics platform also in the perspective of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction process. We need the expertise and experience of Qatari companies in terms of port management and operations, as well as port digitization and development.
We will also discuss the possibility of other infrastructure projects, including developing the capacity of the Traian Vuia International Airport in Timisoara, financing the construction of the Comarnic-Brașov motorway and modernising the Predeal-Brașov railway.
We are talking about mature projects that can be carried out in public-private partnership. I asked all the ministers present to present their projects and to take advantage of the opportunity we have to attract investment to Romania.
Your Excellency,
The State of Qatar recently hosted one of the most successful World Football Championships. It is the most beautiful lesson you have taught to all those who initially had doubts about it. And it is a lesson taught through sport. But this success has been backed by hard work, dedication and investment.
I wish the same for my country. I want us to make investments together that will develop Romania and contribute to your country’s prestige in the European Union. And maybe, at some point, with your support, we will also have the chance to reach Qatar’s performance in the field of organising sports competitions.
Thank you very much!
