Media Center

Doha - Media & Communication Dept. - August 15

Advisor to Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari affirmed that the Sate of Qatar has made great efforts that led to rapprochement between Iran and the United States and a prisoner swap deal.
Dr. Al Ansari explained, in the periodic media briefing held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that the State of Qatar, as a reliable international mediator, has played a major and effective role in achieving consensus between the two sides, and continues its efforts in various files, hoping that this deal will lead to greater understandings related to the Iranian nuclear file, which the State of Qatar asserts it is necessary for the security of the region in general.
He added that the role played by Qatar as a vital and decisive mediator through which it was keen to establish realistic controls that are acceptable to both parties to return the frozen funds, pointing out that this deal was preceded by intensive and shuttle visits by Qatari officials to Washington and Tehran, and direct and indirect meetings to reach this promising result.
He pointed out that the Qatari role in reaching this deal was not isolated from other international efforts, but rather was in harmony and synchronized with the efforts of the Sultanate of Oman and the European mediator, expressing his hope that this deal would pave the way for a return to talk about the nuclear deal, which he believes is of great importance to Qatar and the region in general.
He also pointed out that Qatar has always believed in the necessity of resolving disputes by peaceful means, which is consistent with its basic principles in its foreign policy, noting that the region is burdened with crises and it is natural for the countries of the region, including Qatar, to try to calm down and spare their people the consequences of conflicts.
On the Qatari role in mediating between the West and Afghanistan, Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari explained that Qatar's position is clear and declared in this regard, which is the need to maintain channels of communication between the international community and the caretaker government there, because isolating Afghanistan was tried before and did not succeed and resulted in a war that lasted for two decades.
Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the State of Qatar's commitment to supporting the Afghan people and working to host meetings with international parties and missions of various countries in Afghanistan to find more contact between the government and the international community within the framework of promoting human rights and ensuring a decent life for the people there. He expressed his pride in the role played by the State of Qatar in the Afghan file and its efforts to reduce the consequences of the US withdrawal from there, where more than 80,000 people have been evacuated and humanitarian efforts are still continuing.
He also referred to what Qatar is doing through the diplomatic channels that take place in Doha between the US and various countries and international entities and the Afghan caretaker governments to ensure permanent contact that establishes a state of understanding in the future, and ensures the continuation of work to provide a decent life for the Afghan people.
Advisor to Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari discussed the efforts of the Ministry and its officials during the last period, including the written message sent by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani to HE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali Abdoulaye Diop pertaining to bilateral relations and avenues to support and enhance them, the State of Qatar's welcome of the announcement by the Australian Foreign Minister of her country's intention to use the term "Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem", and considering the Israeli settlements illegal, according to international law. Al Ansari considered this a positive position that reflects the Australian government's commitment to international law and resolutions of international legitimacy, and at the same time reinforces all efforts aimed at achieving a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace based on the principle of the two-state solution.
The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the State of Qatar's welcome to the United Nations' announcement of the completion of the plan to offload crude oil from the FSO Safer tanker off the coast of Yemen on the Red Sea, expressing his pride in Qatar's contribution to supporting the rescue operations coordinated by the United Nations to prevent the catastrophic spill.