Belgrade / Information Office / October 16

HE Qatar's Ambassador to Serbia Sheikh Mubarak bin Fahad Al-Thani said that the siege countries aimed at trying to impose the tutelage on Qatar and to put pressure on it till it responds to their dictates, but they were surprised by the steadfastness of the people of Qatar and their loyalty to their wise leadership as well as the measures taken by the government to preserve the country's dignity and sovereignty.

HE the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Serbia, in an interview with (Diplomacy and Trade) magazine, said that the State of Qatar has proved in its actions before the statements of its officials, that it does not support terrorism and does not tolerate the terrorists or their supporters, whatever they were.

He pointed that the State of Qatar supports the peaceful approach for resolving conflicts in the Middle East and all over the world and that it works with peace loving regional and international powers to achieve those meanings.

"We call upon others to follow the example of Qatar in the fight against terrorism and to root out its sources. We also call on them to sign similar memoranda we have signed with the United States on combating terrorism before firing unfounded accusations," he said.

HE Sheikh Mubarak bin Fahad Al-Thani renewed the call for dialogue instead of fabricating media reports that seek to demonize the State of Qatar.

Responding to a question about economic motives behind the claim that Qatar is close to Iran, HE the Ambassador said that some countries in the region have relations with Tehran that outweigh Qatar's relations with Iran. For example, the UAE has close economic ties with Iran, as trade volume between the two countries reached around USD 16 billion last year. The UAE also accounts for 90% of the trade volume between Iran and the Gulf countries combined, he added.

The Qatari Ambassador to Serbia explained that the relationship between the State of Qatar and Iran is characterized by realism and mutual interest that is punctuated by the principles of international relations and international law. These relations are not directed against any party in the region or outside it, he said.

Responding to a question about the his opinion on the role of Al Jazeera Network as a global media outlet since its inception, HE Sheikh Mubarak bin Fahad Al-Thani said that Al Jazeera is a source of pride for Qatar as a free platform for opinion. He pointed out that the support it received from various international media and press federations and unions against the demand of its closure is a strong evidence of its leading role in the international media. He added that Al Jazeera does no longer belong to Qatar or the Qataris, as it became a free platform that reflects the hopes of the people in freedom. Being as such is frightening to some parties, he pointed.

On his expectations for ending the Gulf crisis, HE the Ambassador said that since the beginning of the crises, the State of Qatar has called for dialogue as the best way to resolve it. It has also supported the honest and sincere mediation of HH the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. He pointed out that the State of Qatar is still committed to dialogue to overcome the crisis on bases of respect for sovereignty and away from dictates in accordance with the historic speech delivered by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

On the prospects of boosting economic cooperation between Qatar and Serbia, HE Sheikh Mubarak bin Fahad Al-Thani said that the agreement on economic, trade and technical cooperation and the agreement to protect and encourage mutual investments between the two countries provided a legal framework to enhance economic cooperation between them.

He expressed hope for the establishment of a platform for dialogue between businessmen in Doha and Belgrade through the establishment of a Serbian-Qatari Business Council and the promotion of cooperation between the chambers of commerce of the two countries to increase trade volume, which currently ranges between USD 6 and 7 million.

HE the Ambassador stressed that the investment opportunities in Serbia are numerous, pointing out that country has made remarkable progress in improving the business environment and that it is characterized by many natural resources, strategic geographical location and highly qualified cadres.