The Director General of the French National Gendarmerie Jacques Mignaux adorned HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, the commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) Monday evening 8/10/2012, Medal of French National Gendarmerie. He is the first high level security official in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that receives this kind of medal and it was awarded for his role in the completion of joint projects with the French gendarmerie.
This Medal was begun since 63 years and it is awarded for 40 people annually from the staff of French National Gendarmerie that has 130,000 thousands. It is awarded particularly for honorable service rendered by military personnel for their participation in operational activities in addition to French and foreign citizens who have contributed in the wide achievements in the implementation of joint projects with the French Gendarmerie.
In his speech, HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani, the Commander of Lekhwiya forces expressed gratitude and appreciation for this medal. "I appreciate warmly this honour and am proud of it", he said.
"The cooperation between Lekhwiya and French Gendarmerie is ongoing and is further developing. Training and academic courses are pillars of this cooperation and true partnership", he said confirming that the cooperation will continue between both sides until 2022 and beyond that also.
On his part, the Director General of the French Gendarmerie in his speech at the beginning of the ceremony said that the Medal of French Gendarmerie is awarded to the staff of Gendarmerie rendered honorable service for their participation in operational activities. It’s granted for only 40 persons yearly which means that it have particular significance for the French gendarmerie.
French gendarmerie honors the important figures from inside and outside of France, as an expression for our feelings of pride and appreciation for their contribution and brilliant achievements in the implementation of joint projects with the national gendarmerie, he added.
The director said it is evident for everyone the efforts the HE. Sheikh Abdullah’s in establishing Lekhwiya and his continuous work to make maximum efficient.
He stressed that Lekhwiya is today a mirror through which the French National Gendarmerie see their capabilities and values, and these drive both forces to serve their countries ideally and professionally.
The Director said that the French National Gendarmerie is ready to implement everything related to preparations for 2022 World Cup which will be hosted by Qatar, and he expressed his happiness for the confidence of Lekhwiya's commander in the French National Gendarmerie in this regard.
In response to a question about future projects with the Lekhwiya force the director said: There is close cooperation in the field of training between France National Gendarmerie and Lekhwiya force, and it resulted the establishment of Lekhwia Training Academy Project. It will be an excellent training establishment in the State of Qatar in cooperation with the France National Gendarmerie to prepare officers and members who will be able to perform their duties in a high professional level.
Both forces have plans in the exchange of expertise, especially regarding the security of the metro network and stadiums that will be built for the World Cup 2022, the director said.
The partnership between Lekhwiya and France National Gendarmerie began in 2005, and then on December 18, 2005 a joint agreement was signed between the both sides. An office on Lekhwiya Academy was set up as per the decision on 29 November 2011 as an initial step to establish a comprehensive Academy which will be first of its kind in the GCC.