Qatar’s Minister of State for Defense Affairs Major General Hamad Bin Ali Al-Attiyah met in Doha on Sunday with visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Italian Republic Paolo Gentiloni (photo), Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

During the meeting they exchanged views on bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Italy and ways of strengthening them, as well as discussing the current situation.

The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces Major General Pilot Ghanim bin Shaheen Al Ghanim and a number of Senior Commanders at the Qatari Armed Forces.

Furthermore, Qatar’s Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani and Qatar’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah also met with the Italian Minister and his accompanying delegation.

During a joint press conference, Al Attiyah confirmed the depth of Qatar’s relations with Italy, describing them as “ancient and diverse.” The Minister said that he discussed with his Italian counterpart all matters relating to bilateral relations between the two countries, especially at the economic, cultural and political levels.

Qatar and Italy share the same views about the Syrian crisis and the necessity of a political solution in accordance with the principles of Geneva, Al Attiyah said, adding that today’s talks were in-depth about terrorism and means of dealing with and combating it.

On the Libyan question, the Foreign Minister pointed out that the two countries’ ideas and visions are also identical in the Libyan issue, stressing the need for Libya to be uniform. He also confirmed support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Martin Kobler's mission to reach a political solution there.

Gentiloni said his visit to Qatar is a great opportunity for the development of bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as enhancing cooperation with regard to Libya and Syria.