HH the Emir of Qatar Attends the Opening Session of Doha Forum

Doha, May 20 (QNA) - HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani attended this morning at the Ritz Carlton Doha Hotel, the بfirst session of the Doha Forum and Enriching the Middle-East's Economic Future Conference, in the presence of Heads of State, heads of delegations and guests participating in the Forum. The Opening session, entitled ' Visions for Regional Peace, Stability and Development', was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, HE the Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah and a number of Sheikhs and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the State of Qatar. Addressing the session Britain's Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown referred to Qatar's active role, under the leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, in bringing peace and stability in the region and its efforts and development plans for the welfare of its citizens as well as for helping other countries in need. Brown reviewed the financial and economic challenges which has been taking place in the world. However, he predicted that the region, over the next two decades, will see an economic boom and an increase in the growth rate, which will apply to the whole world. To achieve all that, more cooperation and interdependence among all nations is needed for the benefit of the region and the world at large, he added. He also touched on the importance of financing infrastructure plans and projects in the region, helping the youth and removing all obstacles in order to achieve the desired economic prosperity. For his part, Vice President of the Republic of Argentina Amado Boudou underlined the need for concerted international efforts for achieving a global financial structure to bail the world from the current financial and to provide at the same time economic opportunities for all. In a speech he delivered at the first session of the Doha Forum Boudou said the world is in need of new ideas, sustainable and graded growth for the benefit of all countries and peoples, pointing out that such ideas and growth would contribute positively to the attainment of peace in the world. He called for the improvement of incomes and the diversification of economic resources of the different countries, but he saw that some countries do not accept new things that can help in their economic prosperity because they are closed, while other countries, including Qatar and some Latin American countries, are open in their quest towards a prosperous and bright future for themselves and for other regions of the world. The Argentine official demanded an end to austerity policies in order to overcome the economic crisis and bring about the required economic transformation, to address the issues of debts and unemployment, especially in developing countries. He also called for what he termed a new financial and economic architecture through which resources are optimally used to face the consequences of the financial crisis, citing in this respect, the policies and plans adopted by Qatar to realize the welfare of its citizens and to achieve peace and economic development at the international level. He pointed out that there are a lot of golden opportunities that should be seized, expressing belief that the Doha Forum is a great opportunity for adopting such kind of policies and programmes that promote confidence in the efforts that are being pursued and are reflecting positively on all human beings. Addressing the session, Former Prime Minister of France, Francois Fillon Lauded the Qatari model of development, pluralism and contribution to facing international challenges. Qatar has developed a distinctive model, established the choice of pluralism and got strongly involved in the different global challenges like climate change, sustainable development and others, he said adding that it opted for preserving its identity and enhanced the principles of dialogue. Pointing out that the Doha Forum is being held amid difficult regional and international circumstances, Fillon called for cooperation and partnership in order to meet the various financial and political challenges as well the crises in the Middle East. In this context he called for a quick solution to the Syrian crisis and for the convening of the proposed international conference, which he considered, the last chance to end the fighting in Syria. He stressed the importance of the proposal put forward by Gordon Brown, former British Prime Minister for the establishment of an Arab financial structure to strengthen partnerships among regional countries and to be an engine for future joint investment policies. The Former French Prime Minister pointed to the European cooperation for addressing the financial crisis in the euro zone, stressing that cooperation and dialogue is the only way to face international challenges. For his part, the Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, hailed the Doha Forum and the keenness on holding it every year, and praised Qatar's positive role in the international fora. In his address before the session, Ischinger focused on the Syrian crisis and the Palestinian issue, calling for effective international action to promote peace and security in the region. He also called on the European Union to play an active political role and open channels of dialogue with all actors for the resumption of the Middle East peace process. (QNA)