HE the Prime Minister: Diplomacy, Dialogue and Equality Fundamental Pillars to Achieving Security

Doha, May 22 (QNA) - HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani has confirmed that Qatar considers diplomacy, dialogue and equality among nations as the three fundamental pillars to achieving security, stressing that progress occurs best when there is stability and security. Addressing the opening session of the 4th Munich Security Conference (MSC) Core Group Meeting, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani said ''we gather here in Doha at the crossroads between East and West, amidst a world, a region experiencing dramatic and profound change. We are seeing a new world order emerge, with power shifts apparent and a wide variety of state and non-state actors influencing events that affect us all. ''This is no more evident than here in the Middle East. This evolving political dynamics brings additional complexities, but also many opportunities, if enlightened self-interest becomes the shared goal of all. ''Over two years ago, rumblings heard over many decades became a wave of popular sentiment crashing over accepted orthodoxies. The Arab Spring was an unforeseen political catalyst for many leaders and, its effects are not reversible nor is its impact complete, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said. He added that it has led to great change in countries directly affected in 2011, but also influenced thinking and policy in those immediately insulated from its effects, noting that the significance changes taking place reflect the political, economic and social stresses that have been overlooked by the region for so many years. "But leaders should not fear it, they should not resist it; they must work with it. There is no turning back. No system is perfect and, similarly, there is no system that cannot benefit from further refinement. But, what is clear is that such political development must work in concert with, and in league with economic and social development. It is as much a culture as it is a system," Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said. HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister reviewed the experience of the State of Qatar of investment in the country and people, saying that political empowerment cannot come at the expense of economic empowerment, for economic empowerment and education serves to support and foster stable political development. ''This is the path that HH the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has set and it is a path we are pursuing with commitment and vigor. But, you cannot uphold domestic stability without also securing regional stability. And regional stability is more precarious than ever," HE the Prime Minister said, stressing that the State of Qatar believes in development, progress, respecting the will of the people and peaceful co-existence and stands on the side of progress, economic and social development and the people. HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister pointed out that all nations must respect that there are different models of development while all must see that the pursuit of progress is the best path to take. He said "We will never support a government of one political view. We support countries, not solely the government of the day. When governments change through an electoral process, our support will not alter. We support the rights of all people to live in freedom and dignity, because that, alongside economic development is the best path to stability. "While we seek to boost development, and mitigate internal strife in vulnerable states, there are three areas of conflict that area of most pressing concern for international policy makers working for regional security, and of which, this meeting explores two. "First there is no doubt that today, the region is faced with one of its gravest moral and humanitarian challenges. The situation in Syria is deeply disturbing and its ramifications absolute from Turkey and Jordan to Lebanon and Iraq, to the whole wider region. If we do not act to prevent the ongoing escalation of conflict, the whole region risks being pulled into protracted instability. The historical currents rising to the fore, the savagery we are witnessing could be fatally undermining to a regional on the cusp of change. So we, alongside our allies, are working to arrest this acute decline and find workable solutions to pull Syria back from a near terminal state, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said. He explained that there is much discussion on the steps that should be taken, saying " I am not necessarily advocating military action, but inaction is not an option. I believe we can resolve this situation if all nations act in the common interest; seeking a Syria that is stable, that respects and accounts for the rights of all who live there." HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani said "Secondly, the alleged pursuit by Iran for a military nuclear capability still occupies the minds of many in the region and anyone with an interest in its stability. In Qatar, we have maintained good relations with Iran; we have understanding build on mutual respect. "But none of this negates a primary goal for Qatar - to ensure the region remains free of nuclear weapons. This is fundamental to long term stability. I would fear for the future for all states in the region if one were to obtain nuclear weapons, not least for the arms race that would ensue. "We should not forget that freeing the region from nuclear weapons should include Israel's removal of its nuclear arsenal so that we can ensure the stable and secure future to all states in the region. Otherwise, the adverse consequences of the nuclear arm's race with remain." HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said officially, Iran states that a military nuclear capability is not its goal. I sincerely hope that is the case. But, I believe, the only way we can hope to resolve this issue definitively is through dialogue - by all concerned parties sitting together to resolve and address concerns. ''These discussions must be serious. They need not be public, but they must have a timetable. We must create a sensible imperative to act and an effective incentive for peaceful resolution. We do not wish to see conflict occur, and neither should any other member of the international community. The economic impacts, including to energy supply, should alone be sufficient to guide policy makers from beyond the region in their dealings. ''But, I accept like we all do, that a nuclear free region is a redline, and it is redline that we should all strive, with every sinew and with every diplomatic tool available to avoid being crossed. On the Arab-Israeli conflict HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said ''But when we talk about long term regional stability, long term peace in the region we can't also ignore the stalled peace process between Israel and Palestine." "Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace to have their right to exist respected and to have full sovereignty over their affairs. That is why we are supporting the reinvigoration of the Arab Peace Initiative and will work with all actors in pursuit of a goal all should endorse; peaceful co-existence,''. "Secretary Kerry sees the window of opportunity on a two-state solution closing, it is a view we share. We all know what the solution is and we must all do what we can to deliver this. The process is not straightforward, but we must not be overawed by the challenge. "Today, our future is more intertwined than ever, something the Munich Security Conference, in its 50th year, reflects in its composition and mission. And it is why we are hosting this Core Group Meeting here in Doha. Events in one part of the world will often affect all others". HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said "Many leaders have said this before me, but there is no more important value to inform relations between countries; that of co-operation. No country in this century can stand alone, no matter how powerful it may be. The present threats and problems transcend national borders. Isolation is not an option. For, there is no problem we can solve alone, but there is no problem we can't solve together. It is why the State of Qatar is so committed, not only to the key global multilateral institutions, but also why we actively participate in our key regional organizations. Not just to the Gulf Co-operation Council, but also through the League of Arab States. By engaging through these organizations and reinvigorating them to pursue goals of mutual interest, in particular regional stability, we can help ensure that we can deep our region on the right path, during a turbulent period." "The Arab League has been at the forefront on action on Libya and Syria, while the GCC played a key role in the stable transition of power in Yemen. These are essential institutions to the on-going stability of the region. They reflect the greater need for co-operation in a more diffuse, multi-polar global power architecture. "And, new technologies are only serving to magnify this connected and interrelated nature of our world. The rise of the internet of a new digital age, is changing and will change, the world in most dramatic ways. We are witnessing the rise of a global consciousness, a global populace and potentially informal global polity. "It offers great opportunities for engagement, information sharing for collective improvement. But it also offers significant threats through new forms of warfare and as a tool to divide and inflame tensions. Yet, if we all, as people in positions of authority and influence, respect peoples' will and work for the principle of shared progress, we can harness these new forces to amplify and enhance progress drawing people out of poverty and giving all opportunities and dignity." He added that the Munich Security Conference has gathered together an impressive array of contributors, all of whom wield influence over global affairs and can provide unique insights into these shared challenges. From managing the fallout of the Arab Spring to addressing the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria, from upholding the nuclear non-proliferation regime to managing energy and resource security, everyone in this room can contribute to informed collective policymaking. "Through all these, the key role of co-operation, both regionally and globally, points the way to resolution. It is a value that informs our foreign policy at all times, as we strive to enhance stability, security and peace in the region," Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim concluded. (QNA)