Qatar’s prime minister went ahead with his planned three-day visit to France yesterday, despite the terror attacks in Paris at the weekend.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, arrived in Paris on Sunday evening with his delegation, landing at Orly International Airport. He was greeted upon arrival by Qatar’s Ambassador to France, Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani and French Ambassador to Qatar Eric Chevallier, according to the Qatar News Agency.
More than 130 people were killed in Paris during three coordinated attacks on Friday night, with terror group ISIL claiming responsibility for the suicide bombings and shootings.
Air traffic continued as normal as possible in and out of Paris, but the terror attacks in the French capital left tourists and business travellers wondering whether to proceed with upcoming trips.
Sheikh Ahmed and his senior officials, however, went ahead with the planned three-day visit, which is his first visit to France since he became prime minister in June 2013.
Paris has close commercial and political ties with Qatar. In April this year, Qatar agreed to buy 24 Dassault Aviation-built Rafale fighter jets in a $7 billion deal.
During a visit to Doha in May where the deal was signed, French President Francois Hollande pushed further business interests in the country as well as encouraged investment into France, where Qatar already has assets of about $10 billion.
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