HE Minister of National Education and Vocational Training of the Republic of Djibouti Moustafa Mohammed Mahmoud praised his country's ties with the State of Qatar, describing them as historic and based on mutual respect.

The two countries inaugurated their embassies in 2005, and the minister added that officials from the two countries have exchanged visits since that time, in an effort to enhance partnership.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the minister praised Qatar's renaissance that is seen in all fields under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, reflecting Qatar's strategic planning for the future. He praised in particular the educational system in the State of Qatar, highlighting the country's success in attracting some of the most prominent universities in the world to open their branches in Qatar.

He highlighted the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Qatar, represented by Qatar Fund for Development, and the government of Djibouti to support the project of Education Above All and the World Bank to register 35,000 children who are not registered to a school. He said that the project will provide the children of Djibouti with the opportunity to join educational institutions, in a project that will make a $3.4 million investment over three years. He noted that, thanks to the partnership between Qatar, the World Bank, and Djibouti, there won't a child in Djibouti who is outside the school system by 2025. He also praised the initiatives of HH the Amir and HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser that provide education to millions of children in developing countries and conflict-stricken zones.

HE the minister said that, during his meeting with HE Qatar's Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi, he praised how Qatar managed to move forward with its academic year despite the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that Qatar's experience is worth of study. He also said that Qatar's measures related to the containment of the virus, which includes providing vaccination to citizens and residents without any discrimination as well as wearing masks and exercising physical distancing, played a key role in the country's low number of infections.

He also said that his meeting with HE Minister of Administrative Development Labor and Social Affairs Youssef bin Mohammed Al Othman Al Fakhroo touched on a number of important subjects related to the Djiboutian workforce in Qatar, especially given they speak Arabic, French, and English.

On his views regarding Qatar's hosting of the World Cup 2022, His Excellency said that the achievement was a source of pride for all Arab countries.

(QNA)