Qatar Prime Minister Participates in the Arab and International Relations Council Conference

Kuwait, February 11 (QNA) - HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani participated on Monday morning in the opening session of the 1st International Conference of the Arab and International Relations Council at Sheraton Hotel in Kuwait. HE the Prime Minister delivered a speech on 'the main factors that govern the orientation of the Arab world relationships with the world' in which he emphasized that the Arab world, by virtue of its location, resources, history and its contributions to civilization and by virtue of its human density and economic and strategic weight is qualified to be an active entity in this world and an important center of gravity as well as an influential player that cannot be bypassed in the equations of politics and economy. HE the Prime Minister stressed that the Arab world has the elements of advancement, progress and global prestige and the economic and political strengths in addition to the factors of influence and effectiveness in the international arena. Regarding the naming of the Arab World, HE wondered "what do we mean by a group of Arab States?" Is it the countries that are separated by borders and torn by differences with their resources wasted by disputes and wars? or we mean the wide geographic space that centres the world and has the enough capacity to become self-sufficient in all necessary needs given that they have manpower, abundant water, energy sources and fertile lands suitable for agriculture. Moreover, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim added, they also possess the integration factors and even the comprehensive unity as they have one language and one religion for most of the population as well as the history, culture and social legacies?" HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani stressed that the first step to reforming the Arab world begin by reforming the internal situation of each Arab country, adding that it is not necessary that a revolution or uprising erupts in a certain country so that reform could be achieved. However, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said, a studied and gradual reform which keeps pace with the aspirations of the people may be more effective and more beneficial than hasty reforms imposed by pressures and enthusiasm, indicating that the required reform includes not only the political aspects, but also extends to economic and social aspects, especially integrated educational systems that need violent shaking to wipe off dust from them. He added that the second and necessary step to reform the Arab world lies in the reform of the Arab League in order to be able to achieve its objectives within the Arab world and to protect Arab interests abroad as well as to develop and strengthen Arab relations with the world and with continental associations and gatherings. It may be useful for the Arab League to establish a joint mechanism with the European Union, the African Union, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Union of South American countries provided that such reform is to be preceded by a reconsideration of the Arab League's statute, including the transition from the principle of unanimity to majority. HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani stressed that Arab relations with world countries should not be limited to the economic, commercial, and security fields, asserting the importance of a cultural dimension in such relations. He called for the importance of a studied cultural moves towards the world, to be led by the Arab League following its development and the reformulation of its systems and structures, pointing out that the Arab League should care for establishing g Arab cultural centres in the US and the European capitals as a first stage, as many peoples around the world, specially in the US and Europe, are unaware of "our ancient refined culture and our distinguished role at many historical eras, hence they are more exposed to the effects of negative campaigns demeaning Arabs and distorting their image." HE the Prime Minister called for the advancement and innovation of means that enable the Arab media to address the world and attract global attention to our causes and to disseminate the Arab world events in the world realistically and from an Arab perspective rather than from viewpoints of others who could be unaware of facts or ignore them. Media has become an industry, art, and science where ideas and interpretations interact based on understanding and comprehension rather than exclusion and condemnation, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim explained, adding that the less supervision and monitoring over media, the more respect commended from the world towards our causes, and the more we humbly listen to the other, the more we would be listened to. He highlighted the free word as the hub for dialogue among peoples internally and externally. HE the Prime Minister also called for the establishment of an Arab news agency broadcasting in the world's major languages, to be operated by the Arab League away from official intervention. Thus we guarantee objective and credible reach while mitigating the effects of Arab news broadcast by some international agencies which are subject to modifications and distortions, he said. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim meanwhile expressed hope that popular diplomacy towards the world would be activated in support of the official Arab diplomacy under the umbrella of the Arab League, calling for the establishment of Arab friendship associations with world countries, in addition to popular diplomatic work mechanisms "which will undoubtedly have a positive effect in the interest of the Arabs". HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani noted that the development of Arab relations with the United States and Western countries requires reaching a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, within which a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital would be established. He expressed hope that the upcoming period would witness a more neutral and objective US understanding and quicker moves towards this solution, as the world has become more convinced by the justness of the Palestinian cause and the weakness of the Israeli arguments which are totally at variance with logic and the international law, stressing that Palestine's winning of the UN membership as an observer overwhelmingly was a clear evidence of the world's support for the establishment of the Palestinian statehood. HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister underlined the depth of Arab-Iranian relations as "long-standing and firm relations entrenched by history and deepened by geography. Therefore therefore they are able to withstand passing crises and tensions", noting that the two sides have no alternative for coexistence, cooperation and dialogue to solve problems and overcome obstacles. HE the Prime Minister pointed out that there may be pending issues between Iran and the Arab countries, especially in the Gulf region, noting that by adopting the constructive dialogue, diplomatic means, enhancement of confidence away from harshness, solutions to these issues could be reached. In this regard, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister suggested the establishment of a cooperation organization for the countries overlooking the Gulf. HE referred to Turkey as another important Arab neighbor that has historic relations with the Arab world, believing that Arab-Turkish relations will witness further understanding and cooperation in the coming stage, especially in the economic and political areas. Turkey is eligible to become an important economic and political partner with the Arab world, thanks to its dynamic leadership, clear vision and entrenched political system. HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said talking about future inter-Arab relationships leads to talking about Asia and Africa as they represent the strategic depth for the Arab world and therefore there must be a new perspective for the Asian-African relations to be based on exchanging common interests, enhancing economic cooperation and developing security and political coordination. The unrest in some parts of Africa should not be a reason to abandon investment on the continent, he said adding that there are relatively stable countries in East and West Africa, in addition to the Republic of South Africa, which enjoys political stability and economic openness. HE Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said economy is a key factor in international relations, therefore , it is important for Arab countries, in order to maintain relations with the oil and gas importing countries, to increase their foreign investments and to build long-term strategic relations with these countries and not to limit relations to the economic aspects. There are no guarantees that the major industrialized countries will continue to import oil and gas from the Middle East for decades to come, he added. We have to be ready for any developments or changes in the global energy market, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said. He pointed out that in order for the Arab world to develop and activate its international relations, like other world regions, needs to conduct wide reforms in the United Nations and the UN Security Council, because the reality of the world reality is different from 1945 when the United Nations was founded. Concluding, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister called on Arab countries to adopt studied strategic plans and a comprehensive futuristic vision in their regional and international relations, noting that keeping pace with changes and developments, should be with serious, effective and proper planning as well as open mindedness, the ability to conduct dialogue with others and giving priority to the higher interest. The session was attended by Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, PrinceTurki Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Jordanian House of Notables Taher Al Masri, former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, former Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, former Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and a number of senior Arab and foreign political officials and intellectuals, as well as a number of academics and specialists. The two-day conference, will feature three sessions to be held under the headings: "the Arab World and the West", "the Arab World and the East" and "the Arab world and Neighboring Countries." The Kuwait-based Council of Arab and international Relations, which was formed in 2010, aims to form a knowledge and political network with all research institutions, scientific and political powers in the areas of concern to the Council, and to employ the accumulated experience of centres and institutions to achieve the objectives of the Council and the establishment of joint scientific activities through seminars, courses and conferences with various parties such as research, development and public and private academic centres, international organizations. It also aims to to promote and develop knowledge exchange programmes, in order to strengthen the knowledge base and networking with experts and decision-makers.(QNA)