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Doha, -

Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) condemned the statement by the UAE Civil Aviation Authority, accusing the State of Qatar of threatening air safety and security. The QCAA reiterated that Qatar is committed to the highest quality standards in maintaining civil aviation safety and security. In a statement, the QCAA said the United Arab Emirates has unfortunately been manipulating the facts to inflame and mislead the international community. The latest statement is proof of this, it said, adding the reality is that the Qatari military aircraft was flying towards the north-east of Qatar on a mission known to the navigation services provider in the Kingdom of Bahrain following the entry of a UAE military aircraft to Qatari waters without the prior permission of the State of Qatar and in the itinerary close to the route of the UAE civil aircraft referred to in the statement of the UAE Civil Aviation Authority. The statement said that this is not the first time that the UAE deliberately send military aircraft to pass through the airspace in conjunction with the passage of UAE civil aircraft without permission from the relevant authorities in the State of Qatar, despite repeated calls to the provider of navigation services in Bahrain to coordinate in this regard, which is an irresponsible act by the UAE and Bahrain. The QCAA considered that the succession of fabricated complaints issued by the UAE Civil Aviation Authority accompanied by media momentum are unsuccessful attempts to divert attention away from numerous military aircraft violations of Qatar airspace since the beginning of the crisis in June 2017, and to interfere with the complaints file of Qatar in ICAO organization, which will be decided in the next two months. It pointed out that the continued lack of professionalism, non-response and bias by the air navigation service provider in the Kingdom of Bahrain - at a time when neutrality is supposed to be honored since it is responsible for managing the navigation in this region - is a cause for concern and condemnation, especially as it is related to the application of international standards aimed at the security and safety of civilians. The QCAA stressed that the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain should deal with the aviation sector professionally, seriously and responsibly away from politicization. The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority appealed to the concerned authorities in both countries to refrain from political and media disputes and to put professionalism above all other considerations.