Doha: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, H E Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, has said that since the crisis began almost three years ago, Qatar has demonstrated a consistent willingness to negotiate a solution to resolve the situation with no preconditions.
“At the same time we have strengthened our security defence and pursued a strategy of international diplomacy with a firm belief that peaceful negotiation is the only path to a resolution that benefits the entire region,” H E the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs said.
This came yesterday during a session titled “Qatar and the lessons from a 1000-day blockade” with H E the Deputy Prime Minister at Georgetown University in Qatar. H E the Deputy Prime Minister corrected the theme of interactive session saying,”It should be 1000-day of victory.”
“Qatar has made many successful efforts to manage the blockade despite all attempts by the blockading countries to subjugate Qatar. They failed due to wise command of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,” said H E the Deputy Prime Minister.
Audience during a session titled “Qatar and the lessons from a 1000-day blockade” at Georgetown University in Qatar.
The session was attended by students, faculty, staff, and special guests from the government and diplomatic sectors, as well as representatives from across Qatar Foundation.
His Excellency shared insights on Qatar’s role as a powerful player in a changing political landscape, the country’s continued focus on pursuing a robust national development plan, and the strategies needed to pursue peace and security in the region.
His Excellency also spoke on the importance of the GCC as a framework for regional economic and security cooperation, as well as the need to build new frameworks and mechanisms that foster peace and security across the wider region.
“The blockade not only affected Qatar but also affected the world as a whole. What was imposed on Qatar is a change of principles through other parties (blockading countries), and this what, according to my understanding, that destroyed the GCC and led to the destabilisation of the region that was considered one of the most secure areas,” HE the Deputy Prime Minister said.
H E Al Attiyah said: “We have shown our allies that despite bad blockade, gas supplies were not affected. We are committed to our pledges and have provided gas even to our enemies.”
“H H the Amir looked at the issue from a humanitarian perspective. There are people in hospitals and there are students, and these people use the energy we export. If we cut off the energy resources, this will affect them negatively,” HE the Minister of State for Defence Affairs added.
He said that the siege had failed due to Qatar’s strong alliances and strong policy. “There is no longer in today’s world the concept of “small states” where concepts have changed. Small countries can become a force by using many other axes such as the economic side and soft power.”
Regarding the negotiations with Saudi Arabia, he said that it appeared that there was no serious intention (from blockading countries) to end the crisis. “These countries do not want Qatar to leave the GCC and this is not because of love for Qatar but to protect themselves from Qatar’s approaching to international courts and therefore they want to keep the issue as an internal issues among the GCC countries.”
H E Al Attiyah clarified that the mistake made by the blockading countries was that they had forgotten that the United States is a state of institutions and what they guessed was wrong that the United States would be against Qatar. “The US is a strategic ally of Qatar. Qatar has strong ties with America in the areas of defence, foreign affairs, and with the White House, the Congress, and this turned their whole plan and 13 demands unsuccessful.”
SOURCE: THEPENINSULAQATAR