Moscow - information office - December 23
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani stressed Wednesday that there were no obstacles to resolve the GCC crisis at the political level, adding that the State of Qatar does not dwell on small issues.
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs was speaking at a joint press conference with HE the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov. His Excellency said that there was a breakthrough in the GCC crisis that took place two weeks ago after the Kuwaiti statement on the issue. His Excellency added that talks are ongoing on reaching an agreement in principle on the framework to accomplish the reconciliation. His Excellency highlighted that the talks were based on foundations that include respecting the sovereignty of countries, and stressed that no country can impose its conditions on the other whether it was the Qatari side or the other side. He noted that talks on a GCC reconciliation took place only with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but the latter was representing the other parties as well.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani stressed that the State of Qatar was firm in its position on the unity of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and on resolving crises through direct and constructive dialogue. His Excellency added that the continued disagreement did not benefit any side, and that the people of the GCC were the biggest loser of the crisis. His Excellency also said that all GCC countries will emerge victorious if trust can be rebuilt inside the GCC as a regional institution.
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the State of Qatar considers GCC security a priority, adding that escalation would not benefit any side. His Excellency also called for dialogue between GCC countries and Iran, and said that the State of Qatar welcomed any initiative that made the region stable.
His Excellency also stressed that it was important for all countries to adhere to the UN Security Council resolutions on Libya. His Excellency also stressed on the importance of reaching a just resolution to the cause of the Palestinian people based on international legitimacy, adding that there can be no resolution to the Palestinian issue without ending Israeli occupation and establishing the State of Palestine.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that talks with HE the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation focused on the importance of enhancing bilateral economic cooperation, discussing the developments of the GCC Crisis, conditions in Syria, and the Iranian nuclear deal. His Excellency expressed his appreciation of the continued coordination between Russia and Qatar in the field of gas.