Qatar, France sign 5 defense, security deals

DOHA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Qatar and France on Thursday discussed means to boost ties in the Defense and security fields and signed five relevant deals, according to the official Qatar News Agency (QNA).

Qatari Prime minister and minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani held an official session of talks with the visiting French Prime minister Edouard Philippe.

The agreements and memorandums of understanding focused on the spheres of Defense information exchange and enhancing cooperation over combatting cybercrime as well as culture and education, QNA reported.

In statements, Sheikh Abdullah voiced confidence that the meeting would help bolster the strategic concept for relations between Qatar and France.

Philippe, for his part, said "ties binding France and Qatar are developing, particularly in this critical period which the Qatari people managed to surpass excellently."

The French prime minister met earlier in the day with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and reviewed friendly relations between the two countries as well as recent regional and international developments.

Philippe had arrived in Doha on Wednesday on an official visit and attended the inauguration of the National Museum of Qatar, designed by French architect Jean Novel.