Qatar's Ambassador in Brussels HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani said he was looking forward that the next phase would witness further deepening of relations between the State of Qatar, European institutions, the North Atlatic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Kingdom of Belgium.

In a speech he gave at a ceremony held at the residence of the Head of the Mission of the State of Qatar in Brussels HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani also hoped that Qatar's relations would be strengthened at all levels and move forward to wider prospects so as to achieve the aspirations of the Qatari people and the peoples of the European Community. 

During the ceremony, which was attended by Belgian and European personalities, NATO representatives and members of the diplomatic corps, HE the Ambassador stressed that Qatar's policy is based on several key areas including world peace and stability through rapprochement between the State of Qatar and its regional and global surroundings to allow the study of all the acute problems facing the region and the drawing of a comprehensive strategy appropriate solutions to assist the peoples of the Middle East and the world ensure permanent peace and development. 

He also confirmed the State of Qatar's rejection of terrorism in all its forms, referring to the accession of the State of Qatar to a number of international and regional conventions and enacted many domestic legislations to combat terrorism, money-laundering and the financing of terrorist operations. 

HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani said the State of Qatar has called for an in-depth study of the threats resulting from the spread of extremism and terrorism in the Middle East and the distinction between resistance and terrorism, especially that the international community did not yet agreed on the precise definition of terrorism. 

HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani meanwhile pointed to Qatar's great role in the field of formal and informal humanitarian assistance which has helped alleviate much of pain in different areas going through human tragedies. "The diplomacy of the State of Qatar relies primarily on mediation in conflicts to settle peace in areas hit b civil wars which resulted in significant population displacements and mass exodus," HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani added. 

He said the Qatari diplomacy cares for humanitarian aid and assistance to areas affected by natural disasters and those resulting from wars and armed conflicts that leave behind human waves that are forced to flee conflict zones to other safer areas. 

Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani has hosted a dinner banquet attended by many dignitaries including the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary-General and his assistants, as well as members of the Qatar-EU Friendship Group, high-ranking representatives of the Belgian Government and members of diplomatic corps accredited to the Kingdom of Belgium, the European Union and NATO and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. (QNA)