The Secretary General of the European Union’s External Action Service (EEAS), Stefano Sannino, and Qatar’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi have signed an agreement to establish a new EU Embassy in Qatar. The opening of the EU mission was announced during the visit of the High Representative to Doha last year and is anticipated this year.
In 2018, the EEAS and Qatar’s MOFA signed a Cooperation Arrangement to highlight the partnership between the EU and Qatar. Since then, the relations have advanced considerably. A Human Rights Dialogue was also initiated that year. In October 2021, Qatar became the first Gulf country to sign a Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement with the EU.
Qatar assisted EU nationals during the COVID-19 pandemic by repatriating stranded people as well as aiding in their evacuation during the unrest in Kabul. According to the statement, such instances are proof of Qatar and the EU’s cooperative nature. By opening a new embassy in Doha, the EU now has diplomatic representation in 136 countries, as well as 145 offices worldwide.