National Day of the State of Qatar Celebrated with a Formal Reception in Sarajevo

(Patria) - In the presence of numerous guests from the political, social, religious, sports, cultural, and public life of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the diplomatic corps, last night at the Hotel Hills in Ilidža, the National Day of the State of Qatar was celebrated.

The State of Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina are celebrating the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations this year. The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Meshaal bin Ali al-Attiyah, the host of the ceremony, emphasized on this occasion that the relationship between the State of Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina represents "a relationship of friendship and brotherhood that has lasted for many years and through which common political, economic, and cultural ties have been strengthened".

"The volume of trade exchange between the two countries amounted to 7.5 million dollars in 2022, and it increased to 21 million dollars last year, which is a clear indicator of the development of economic relations. We continue to work on strengthening cultural and scientific cooperation, implementing signed agreements, and strive to organize joint cultural events to deepen communication between our peoples and introduce them to their history,
traditions, and customs. On this festive occasion, we reaffirm the State of Qatar's constant commitment to the development of bilateral relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, in order to achieve common interests and strengthen strong fraternal ties",
Ambassador Al-Attiyah conveyed.

Center for Humanitarian Initiatives and Active Mediation

He spoke about the historical significance of the National Day of the State of Qatar, especially in the context of the current moment.

"Today we celebrate the anniversary of the founding of our beloved State of Qatar. It is an event that embodies loyalty to our glorious history and recalls the life and work of the founder, Sheikh Jasim bin Muhammed al-Thani, may God have mercy on him, who laid the foundations of the modern state, directed its path towards prosperity and stability, and built strong relations in the region, based on wisdom, justice, and loyalty", he said.

He added that the State of Qatar has been pursuing a policy of openness and cooperation with its Arab, regional, and international environment for decades, until it became an active state with a broad diplomatic presence on the world stage.

"The period after 1995 was marked by significant development of Qatar's balanced foreign policy, led by His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

Thanks to this, Qatar has established diplomatic relations with more than 140 countries and has become an influential player in the international community, a center for humanitarian initiatives and active mediation. We have also strived to strengthen economic, social, and cultural relations, in line with the fundamental pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims for a balance between economic growth, human resources, and environmental protection", he emphasized.

"The State of Qatar is an active partner in the international community"

Furthermore, he underlined that the foreign policy of the State of Qatar is focused on strengthening the principles of peace, security, and stability, as well as friendship and cooperation among states and peoples.

"We have proven our constructive role through numerous successes in international mediation and conflict resolution, as an expression of the firm belief that dialogue is the best path to security and development. His Highness the Emir confirmed this with the following words: 'The State of Qatar is an active partner in the international community. Qatar makes significant efforts on the international level in mediating conflict resolution and in humanitarian work. These efforts have contributed to strengthening Qatar's global position and linked its name with a positive and active role'", Ambassador Al-Attiyah concluded in his address at the ceremony.

Qatar National Day is a national commemoration of the unification of Qatar in 1878, which is officially celebrated every year on December 18th in memory of the founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed al-Thani, a Qatari ruler, a great visionary who, by uniting Arab tribes, laid the foundations for a strong and successful Gulf Arab state.

The holiday was established on June 21, 2007, by decree of the current Emir of the State of Qatar, and then Crown Prince and Heir Apparent, H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. It is also known as Founder's Day. The State of Qatar, which gained independence in 1971, is among the richest and safest countries in the world.

Under the wise leadership of the Qatari Emir, H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the State of Qatar has witnessed tremendous growth in the past decade at the local, regional, and international levels.

From economic growth and diplomacy to culture and sports, the leadership of Emir Al-Thani has developed Qatar into a platform for dialogue and cultural exchange.