LE FIGARO. – Prime Minister, you take the 25 and 26 March in Paris at the Forum for Investment and Finance of Qatar. What do you expect from this meeting?
Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani. – There are many opportunities for our two countries and this forum can be positive for France and Qatar. This can help to rescue some struggling companies and then many French companies wishing to establish relations with Qatar. We are open to any investment which could bring benefit to both parties. We've already invested a lot in Europe in the fields of finance, industry and even agriculture and we are ready to consider other initiatives. This explains our enthusiasm and our strong representation at this forum.
A number of large French companies are very active in Qatar, like Total, Areva, Thales and Alcatel.What are the areas where the French could invest?
There are opportunities in several areas especially in energy. We will sign several agreements. But our domestic market is limited and in our relations, there is not that investment in Qatar. Why not consider financial partnerships Franco-Qatari to invest jointly in third countries? From our side, we are including in talks to enter the capital of Areva. For now, we're still in talks.
Qatar is a major producer of oil and gas. What do you think of the turmoil in energy markets?
It is important to have on the energy market, a balance between supply and demand, which allows an equilibrium price.If prices rise so exaggerated, it's bad for the market in the same manner as a rapid decline is bad because it hinders investment. In recent years we have been a yo-yo prices upwards and downwards. I prefer that prices do not rise sharply because it would hamper the global economy. Moreover, the markets hate the big gap.
What is for you the fair price of a barrel?
In my opinion, the reasonable price of a barrel now stands between 75 and 85 dollars. Ten years ago, when a barrel was at $ 7, Western countries were telling us it's the law of the market. But when the barrel has exceeded $ 140, the same did not want to hear about the market.If, since the great oil shock of 1973, oil prices had increased steadily in line with inflation (2% per year), the price would be at 125 or 130 dollars and the public as the market would find nothing to say. Besides, a car that cost 10 000 dollars in 1973 is now worth 150 000 dollars. In fact, we still want the right balance.
How satisfied are you with the global economic situation, are we out of the crisis or are you afraid of a relapse?
In my opinion the worst is over. But there are still dangers including the high indebtedness of many states that have intervened to support markets and growth. The runaway Scholarships seems also unhealthy, and an adjustment will be necessary. The steps to correct these excesses require cooperation of all countries, because we are collectively responsible for this bubble.However, it is not necessary that some officials are trying to use the crisis to impose constraints on political economy. Market regulation inherently good, but it is important to avoid politicizing it.
The Qatar now has an intense diplomatic activity. What initiatives your country could take to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
I am not very optimistic. I am convinced that the United States are making sincere efforts and sustained to achieve a just and lasting peace. But for its part, Israel calls for negotiations for a just peace with its measurement, which is unacceptable to the Arabs and very dangerous. Nothing has been done to call on Israel to stop its settlements in Jerusalem and it is clear that Israel managed to get away from any sanctions the UN or other international bodies.That fed the frustration, anxiety and thus increasing terrorism. I hope the U.S. give up its veto to protect Israel, to allow the legitimate rights of Palestinians. We have good relations with Israel, we would like to strengthen, but why Israel must accept the legitimate rights of Palestinians.
Westerners, France and the United States in particular, were very concerned about the readiness of Iran to develop nuclear weapons. What role can your country to help a solution?
The French and American officials familiar with the role that we play with Turkey and several other countries to find a diplomatic agreement without resorting to force. It is a very important issue for Qatar. Sanctions against Iran would have no effective results.That's why we want a negotiated solution to avoid increasing tensions in the region.
The Qatar made great efforts in education. All young Qataris have access to education. English is your second language after Arabic. What do you expect of France in the field of education and culture?
English is our second language because we lived under British mandate. Furthermore, it is a major international language. This does not prevent us from developing the use of French. We have many French schools and we have partnerships with universities and French schools. My two children also attend a French school in Doha.
The Qatar is bidding to hold the FIFA World Cup 2022. Will you be ready by then?
The Qatar has already proven itself in organizing the Asian Games.From all accounts, it was a great success. We mobilize all our human and financial resources with a strong commitment by the government. We will therefore be fully ready in 2022 to organize the World Cup football and make it a huge success.
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