Prime Minister Participates in Arab-Turkish Forum

Rabat, November 16 (QNA) - HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani took part in the 4the Arab-Turkish Economic Forum, held here today on the foreign ministers level. HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister gave a speech in which he expressed thanks and appreciation in the name of the State of Qatar, to the kingdom of morocco under the leadership of King Mohamed VI for the warm hospitality accorded to him and for hosting the 4th Arab-Turkish Cooperation Forum. He offered condolences on the victims of the earthquake which hit Turkey recently, hailing Turkey for the efforts it made during it chairmanship of the 3rd Arab-Turkish Economic Forum. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani said we proceed from the fact that this Forum is of great importance in the process of joint work between the two sides, noting that relations linking Turkey and the Arab world are deeply rooted, add to them the common religious, cultural and social factors which contributed significantly to the enrichment of human civilization and established principles of justice, tolerance and openness to the other which are a major driver of cooperation between the two sides. We recognize and appreciate the important role played by Turkey to establish security and stability in the region and its continued support of Arab causes, foremost of which being the issue of the Palestinian people, HE the Prime Minister said. He explained that cooperation within the framework of this forum must be based on support and development of common interests, promotion of collective cooperation in all fields, especially investment, economic and trade sectors and endeavours to overcome all difficulties that prevent access to the desired ends, hoping that a positive outcome to establish the base to support these relations and to stresses the importance of this partnership. We have to work hard to achieve of the foundations and principles of the forum, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said noting that ''the challenges that we face are significant especially in the shadow of the troubled political and economic circumstances ". We are concerned, through this forum, with setting goals and plans for the establishment of partnership projects, creating a variety of programmes and effective mechanisms of action to achieve further advancement and make the prospects for cooperation large and various by drawing up a common development strategy. The profound and accelerating transformations in the Arab region and their peoples' endeavours to achieve their objectives in reform, social and economic development and to live in dignity, assure us undoubtedly that these peoples have known their way and their ability to claim their rights, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said adding that we must recognize that it is necessary for us to respond to the demands of peoples and to carry out the aspired reforms. He said what is happening in Syria is very sad for all of us and we cannot accept the killing of people in the way taking place there without moving to stem the bloodshed and to avert the brethren in Syria further violence and killing. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said that called us in the Arab League Council to take a difficult decision for all of us, out of our responsibility to stem the blood of our brothers in Syria and to urge the Syrian government to fully implement all the commitments it agreed upon under the Arab Plan of Action to resolve the Syrian crisis in order to preserve its security and stability. Within the same framework, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani called on Yemeni President Ali Abdullah to immediately sign the Gulf initiative without delay.(QNA)