In a world in which diplomacy has expanded from government-to-government contacts into public and cultural diplomacy and in which nations are ranked as much on their performance in high-profile international tournaments as on other attributes, autocratic abuse of sports and its impact on soccer, including performance, is nowhere more prevalent than in the Middle East and North Africa.

Following the success of Qatar Brazil 2014, Qatar UK 2013 and Qatar Japan 2012, Qatar Museums Is proud to officially announce the launch of the Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture.

Using its political stability, great economic wealth, and diplomatic ties with various local affiliates across the Middle East, Qatar developed a soft power strategy in several high-profile negotiations, from securing a key peace agreement in the Darfur conflict, to seeking political consensus in Lebanon, and mediating between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels.

Adopting an "open" foreign policy, which relied on soft power tools such as media, diplomacy, education, culture, sports, tourism, economy and humanitarian aid, Doha's strategy was based on good relations with neighbours, the formation of strategic alliances with major and medium powers and the building of a brand.

With huge trade and investment relations with Germany, Qatar has been accorded as the “most important Arab investor” by the Europe’s largest economy. The envoy said: “Qatar is the most important Arab investor in Germany. During the visit of His Highness a lot of focus was given to further strengthen bilateral economic and cultural ties between the two countries.”

Winners of the Create & Inspire 2014 competition from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the UK travelled to Brazil last month to experience one of the most colourful cultures in the world, on a creative adventure of a lifetime.  

The ministry said: "All of the actions that have been taken against the two Britons are consistent with the principles of human rights enshrined in the Constitution and the laws of the State of Qatar," according to QNA. "There is a direct contact between the Qatari Foreign Ministry and the investigating authorities with the British Embassy in Doha in this regard," the agency added. Qatar came under heavy criticism early this year over reported violations of the rights of migrants workers building 2022 World Cup projects.