Foreign minister renews Qatar’s call for new regional agreement to guarantees protection of states

Doha:  HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani has reiterated the State of Qatar’s firm and principled position on resolving the Gulf crisis through dialogue, pointing out that the participation of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in the recent Gulf Summit in the State of Kuwait is proof of that.

In a lecture at Qatar University titled ‘The Gulf Crisis and Political Transitions in the Region’, His Excellency said that the State of Qatar believes in the necessity of a new regional agreement that guarantees the protection of large and small countries and non-interference in their internal affairs, in addition to focusing on the consolidation of the principles that aim at promoting cooperation in the fields of economy and development, as demanded by HH the Amir at the Munich Security Conference.

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani pointed out that Qatar welcomes the Kuwaiti mediation, adopted by HH Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for resolving the Gulf crisis, as well as any other efforts exerted in this mediation.

He attributed the siege of Qatar and the Arab Gulf developments, to changes in the policies of the siege countries, which are unacceptable in normal circumstances. “Therefore, they had to create a crisis and a phantom enemy, which unfortunately is the State of Qatar, to pass these policies.”

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that the siege of Qatar is linked to the siege countries’ desire to extend their influence and force their policies on the region saying that A few days before the siege, there was no crisis. He added that what happened was not a Gulf crisis as much as hostility against the Qatari policies, which led to fabricating a contrived crisis.

He also considered that this fabricated crisis is just one of a series of unjustified crises that the Arab region no longer bears, stressing that the vision of the State of Qatar on resolving the crisis will not be isolated from the general regional context.

On the Qatari diplomacy and its success in overcoming the crisis, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that “there are several factors that contributed to the success of the Qatari diplomacy, most notably the fairness and steadfastness of the Qatari position. He added: “We have just cause, and on the guidance of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, we have dealt with the crisis in a civilized manner in accordance with the principles of international law, which led to our success on the international level”.

He stressed that the cohesion of the internal front and the mobilization of the people around their leadership are important factors that led the international community to support the Qatari position, adding that this cohesion has significantly contributed to overcoming the crisis.

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani also highlighted the policies and measures taken by the State of Qatar to overcome the siege since its beginning, referring to strengthening the national security and humanitarian and legal position on supporting those affected by the siege, in addition to the political dimension shown in strengthening international relations, expanding the network of relations and not giving anyone the chance to isolate the State of Qatar.

Responding to a question on whether the State of Qatar is under pressure from the United States, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani described the Qatari-US relations as strong and based on strategic partnership and mutual respect not on pressure and imposing conditions, stressing that any changes made by the State of Qatar were based on internal evaluation not on external pressure.

He also stressed that the State of Qatar’s call for dialogue as a way to resolve the crisis does not mean accepting the imposition of conditions on it. “We are ready to dialogue and discussing the concerns in accordance with international law and without encroachment of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar.”