Ties in homeland security and civil defence fields growing
The co-operation between France and Qatar in such areas as homeland security and civil defence has been growing at a phenomenal pace over the years and the latest Milipol exhibition held in Doha in October is the most recent example.
The strengthening of ties between the two countries was reiterated once again at the expo, according to internal security officials from both Qatar and France.
Like the developments that witnessed more than two decades in such areas as internal security and civil defence, the three-day exhibition at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) featured an array of agreement signings focusing on strengthening ties in different areas of internal security between France and Qatar, besides the security capabilities of the countries.
The 12th edition of the Milipol exhibition, organised jointly by the Ministry of Interior Qatar and Comexposium Security of France, witnessed a 39% growth in the number of visitors compared to the previous edition held in Doha. Buoyed by the success of the latest expo, it has already been decided to host the 13th edition of Milipol Qatar in October 2020, informed the organisers on the final day of the event.
Out of the more than QR527.5mn worth agreements signed at the event, a number of contracts and agreements were between the local companies and institutions and their counterparts in France.
One of the major agreements signed at the expo was between the director general of The French Gendarmerie General Richard Lizurey and Assistant Commander of Qatar’s Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) Brigadier General Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohamed al-Thani. The pact was for providing training to the officers of the Lekhwiya at Gendarmerie’s facilities and institutions in France.
On the occasion, the senior Qatari official said the agreement aimed at enhancing co-operation in security fields, especially training, operational support and technical capacity development. “It comes within the framework of the distinguished partnership between France and Qatar, started in 2005, and has resulted in a number of projects and joint agreements and exchange of skills, expertise and experiences,” pointed out Brigadier General Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohamed al-Thani.
At the expo opening, French Deputy Minister Laurent Nunez said the co-operation between Qatar and France in the fields of risk analysis and analysis of various aspects would be mutually beneficial. While referring to a letter of intent signed between Qatar and France in the area of combating terrorism at the end of last year, Nunez said the partnership greatly supported two countries in their fight against the scourge and it is also expected to boost significantly the Qatari presence at the international level.
At the expo, French ambassador to Qatar Franck Gellet said his government looked at this year’s event as an opportunity to strengthen their ongoing co-operation with Qatar in such areas as homeland security and civil defence.
Gellet said the more than two decades of continuous co-operation between France and Qatar in the areas of internal security and civil defence has been fruitful all along and mutually beneficial.
“France was the second country after Qatar on the number of exhibiting firms catering to different areas of internal security at this year’s expo,” said the ambassador. There was additional focus on security for major sport events, particularly the FIFA 2022 World Cup at this year’s event.
The ambassador also informed that the French security agencies were familiar with the requirements of Qatar as they had associated with the local security authorities during the 2006 Asian Games in Doha.
“The security requirements are growing with each day and hence there has been a massive growth in the requirements for the FIFA 2022 World Cup,” he said.
Gellet said the internal security agencies in France and their counterparts in Qatar (including Lekhwiya) have been working together for many years and both are sharing their experiences and expertise to each other on a host of issues.
The envoy also hoped such experiences in security as those expected to be received during the FIFA 2022 World Cup and others acquired during the World Handball Championship (2015) in Doha should come in handy for the French authorities while making bids to host sport extravaganzas in future, including the Olympic Games to be held in Paris in 2024.
The ambassador had recalled that Qatari officials, from Lekhwiya, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, and Civil Defence, attended a major policing meeting held recently in Lyons and witnessed the ‘mock terrorist attacks’.
At the latest exhibition, French companies, with proven track records and credentials in such areas as manufacturing of less lethal weapons, armoured vehicles, artillery systems, infantry fighting vehicles, body sealing systems, nuclear and radiation detection, safety monitoring systems, counter terrorism safety and security solutions, ballistic protections and manufacturing of extinguishers showcased their equipment.
French institutions providing training centre for armed forces, air force, navy, training equipment for sports, strength training, racks and rigs too were in attendance.
From the areas of communications, ICT, cyber security and access control, at least six firms were at the Milipol Exhibition.
Those dedicated to aerospace, defence, security and risk assessment too were active at the expo.
The agreements signed at the homeland security exhibition were besides the growing co-operation between the two countries in the areas of defence, which involved the multibillion agreement to supply Rafale aircraft to Qatar Amiri Air Force.