HE Mr. Rashed Mairza Al Mulla, met on Wednesday, 18/07/2018 at the Embassy, with His Excellency Mr. Gustavo Robreño Dolz, Deputy Director of the Marti Program Office in the Republic of Cuba. He extended the invitation for the Fourth conference “For the Balance of the World” to be held at the Palacio de Congresos in the capital Havana from 28 to 31 January 2019. He requested the Embassy to promote this conference among the governmental scientific and cultural institutions. He also proposed the idea of organizing an exhibition on Qatar's hosting of the 2022 World Cup on the sidelines of the conference in the exhibition hall at the Conference Palace where the international conference will be held. He said it would be an opportunity, given the size of participation in the conference from around the world.

At the end of the World Cup in Russia 2018, and the official receipt of our country to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, where His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani from President Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, as part of the preparation of the State Qatar for this important event, the Ambassador of the State of Qatar in Cuba wrote: Qatar's victory in the World Cup is a pride for the Arab and Islamic world The world as a whole is watching the World Cup competitions in Russia 2018, one of the most important international sporting events held every four years. It is a meeting place for peoples and a means to highlight their cultural values and the competitive spirit. Our States' interest in sports is back to an old history. Throughout its modern history, our country has developed in various aspects of life, including sport, and invests in it as a means of improving relations s with the countries of the world. For this reason it was chosen in 2010 for this international event in 2022 and this was a very happy day for the people of the Gulf region and the Middle East. After a period of the news of the selection of Qatar World Cup Western and Arab media campaigns were suspicious about the integrity of the State of Qatar to get a chance to organize the World Cup and about the role of the former AFC President , The Qatari Mohammed bin Hammam, but the Court of Arbitration sports later admitted that there is no direct evidence against the Qatari bin Hammam. These allegations were not based on any real legal basis, as evidenced by the fact that current officials in FIFA confirmed that the decision to grant Qatar the right to host the World Cup is irreversible, and that they are confident that it will do so in the best way. The other issue concerning the rights of foreign workers was also issue of news in the Western newspapers, based on reports by human rights organizations. However, this news contains a lot of exaggeration and was unfair to the State of Qatar. The authorities explained this, and introduced many amendments to the Labor Code in the State and expressed much cooperation with FIFA and these organizations and the International Labor Organization (ILO). In the other hand, our country suffers a year ago of unjust blockade from its Gulf neighbors (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain) as well as the Arab Republic of Egypt. These fabricated reasons created by these countries aimed to undermine our national decision and sovereignty, and our role in the region and in the world, characterized by our policy to broadcast peace and the language of dialogue and engage in issues of cultural understanding. It is shameful and sad that these countries seek all means to annul the organization of the World Cup in the State of Qatar, which in this way reveals their misgivings towards us, and shows the world the inability of our Arab countries to cohesion and solidarity. However, President Gianni Infantino praised its preparations for the big world event a few days ago and said clearly that Qatar is planning to organize the best version of the World Cup in 2022. We wish to organize the World Cup with great success, which is a success for our region and all our Arab Muslim peoples, and we wish victory for our Arab teams as well. Rashed Mirza Al Mulla

Interview given by H.E. the Ambassador to the local media (OnCuba), a year after the beginning of the blockade to Qatar by a quartet of its neighbours. H.E. shares his points of view on the current stage of the relations between Qatar & Cuba, as well as regarding the Gulf crisis. H.E. also provides updated information about the different projects of Qatar in the Caribbean island.

His Excellency Ambassador Rashid Mirza Al Mulla received His Excellency Mr. Napeleon Abdullai, Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana in Cuba, on Thursday 14 May 2018. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

As a contribution to enriching the Cuban library, the Embassy of Qatar in Havana printed the book "The Magician that fell from Heaven" by Cuban author and journalist Hedelberto Blanch. It deals with the novels and experiences of the Cuban doctor and scientist Alvarez Cambras on orthopedics

The Cuban journalist Juan Dufflar wrote an article published both in the Cuban newspaper Trabajadores and the Arab League website in Cuba entitled "Qatar proved its Capacity for Survival" on June 8, marking the anniversary of the siege of Qatar. The article: A year after the collapse of economic relations and sanctions imposed by neighboring Gulf States and some countries, Qatar is now stronger, not only resisting the consequences of these decisions, but also making significant political, economic and social progress. According to his remarks to the national media, His Excellency Mr. Rashid Mirza Al Mulla, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Cuba, assessed the ability of this Arab country to break the tight restrictions imposed on it and the demands made to it to stop the alleged and false support for terrorism and its relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Al Jazeera. Qatar considered these unfounded accusations and demands to be an attack on its sovereignty and a retaliation for its implementation of an independent foreign policy. However, he said, we prefer a peaceful and civilized approach. We have tried many times to clarify and resolve these issues through dialogue, but the countries of the embargo have refused to communicate with us and listen to our explanations, to the point of reaching threats to change the regime in Doha”. "The result was the opposite of what they expected, as these incidents increased the confidence of our people in the leadership of Qatar, and united the Qataris." Mullah said one of the most aggravating factors was the hostile attitude of US President Donald Trump, who opposed the option of a peaceful solution between countries and support for Qatar's opponents. Referring to the economic impact of the air, sea and land blockade, he pointed out that initially there was a slight scarcity, but Qatar was not isolated and did not fail to cover the basic needs of its 2.7 million inhabitants. He stressed that the crisis "affected the lives of Gulf residents in all aspects related to health, education, social affairs and human rights”. Qatar is the second largest natural gas exporter in the world after Russia and the eighth largest oil exporter in the planet, and in response to the blockade imposed by its neighbors, Qatar Petroleum announced in July that it will increase its natural gas production by 33%, from 77 To 100 million tons per year. He noted that among these exports, huge wealth will be obtained to help ensure the prosperity of its population and invest in infrastructure that allows it to overcome the blockade. Food security has become a priority for Qatar. In September, Qatar opened the new port of Hamad, one of the largest ports in the region, and is vital to help the national economy overcome the difficulties resulting from the unjust restrictions imposed.

A year after, the conflict seems inert, however we should ask how long will it take, and if its hidden ramifications, the struggle for dominance in the Persian Gulf between Iran and Saudi Arabia, will not be the breeding ground for an aggravation of the tensions to the point that transcends verbal war and diplomatic sanctions: the explosive elements exist, they only need the spark.

The Information Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the State of Qatar produced a short video, in cooperation with the pertinent authorities in the country, on the effects of the blockade and unilateral coercive measures on human rights in Qatar. To view the video on YouTube, please click on the link: Arabic version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOkhLbhTnJo English versión: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHYUCohLjCk

HE ambassador Rashed Mairza Al-Mulla received at the Embassy on Thursday, 7/06/2018, the Ambassador of Commonwealth Bahamas to the Republic of Cuba, Mr. Andrew Brent Deen, where they exchanged views on bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.

In an article by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, published by The New York Times on Tuesday, June 5, a year after the Gulf crisis, he said the Middle East is a turbulent and unstable region for more than 15 years. Transnational terrorism, the waves of displaced populations and seemingly insurmountable wars are global threats affecting countries far from the region. He pointed out that the State of Qatar emerged after the Gulf crisis as a reliable international partner, and a wise model of crisis management. He added that if it was a loss and profit, everyone is a loser, referring to the "absurdity of the four-crisis." He praised Qatar's rapid response to the crisis by establishing new sources and alternative routes for commodities such as food and medicine, as well as signing new long-term contracts for economic cooperation. He urged all to unite to confront the crises in the Middle East. He said Gulf states need to develop a new framework to enhance security and peace. The GCC has historically played a role in stabilizing Gulf affairs.