FIFA World Cup 2022 enhanced Qatar’s status at global level: Italian envoy

AMBASSADOR of the Italian Republic to the State of Qatar HE Paolo Toschi has said that the hosting of the FIFA World Cup has been a major step for Qatar, both at the internal and international levels.

Speaking to QNA, the Italian envoy said that the last 12 years have been dedicated to preparing Doha and the whole country for the tournament.

“Qatar’s hosting of the tournament was an ambitious target that implied radical urban transformation, fostering social changes and developing unprecedented capacity building and management. We can say that this global success projected Qatar on the world stage and many opportunities will arise,” he said.

Toschi said that Qatar succeeded in establishing the link between local tradition and a global attitude, describing that as the key to the success of every international event.

“In hosting the first ever FIFA World Cup in the Arab world, Qatar merged these two different aspects with care,” the ambassador added.

On bilateral relations between Qatar and Italy, he stressed that his country was an important partner to Qatar, highlighting the partnerships both countries enjoy in many fields.

“Friendship between Italy and Qatar proved to be solid, with many achievements marking its success. Political and institutional contacts continued to expand. We saw a breakthrough on energy with the partnership between ENI and QatarEnergy in the North Field expansion projects,” he added.

Toschi also cited the defence cooperation between the two sides, mentioning in this regard the participation of Italian forces in securing the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

He also highlighted the growing economic and trade ties, as well as both sides’ efforts to enhance cultural cooperation.

“We are working on more exciting opportunities of collaboration for 2023,” the Ambassador said.

The ambassador expressed his confidence that Qatar has even more ambitious projects ahead, adding that Italy is ready to play its part to help the country reach even higher peaks of success in the future.

The Italian Ambassador also expressed his country’s appreciation for Qatar’s efforts in settling crises in different areas around the world.

“Italy appreciates how Qatar is promoting unity, as demonstrated by its efforts to mediate between opposite Parties in many different scenarios in Asia, Africa and the Middle East,” he added.

Qatar’s hosting of the tournament was an ambitious target that implied radical urban transformation, fostering social changes and developing unprecedented capacity building and management. We can say that this global success projected Qatar on the world stage and many opportunities will arises” — HE Paolo Toschi, Italian envoy