Minister of State for Foreign Affairs: Blockade Measures Against Qatar are Contrary to NAM's Principles
Baku – Information Office
The State of Qatar participated Friday in the 18th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi headed the delegation of the State of Qatar to the Summit.
In the State of Qatar's statement to the Summit, HE the Minister affirmed Qatar's commitment to the principles and objectives of the Movement and its work to enhance the important role it plays in facing international challenges and risks, and to continue to coordinate the positions of Member States in international forums to achieve their interests and enhance their capabilities in influencing decisions. He pointed out that Qatar has spared no effort to engage in any active participation in NAM events, pointing to Qatar's hosting of the third ministerial meeting of the Movement's countries on the advancement of women in 2012.
HE the Minister explained that Qatar is engaged in practical activities to develop collective cooperation and continues to develop friendly relations and bilateral cooperation with the Movement countries in addition to the partnership with them in international initiatives and issues of common interest. He pointed out that the world today is witnessing challenges and risks of a transnational nature that impede the achievement of peace and sustainable development, and have repercussions affecting all countries.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs pointed out that no country, whatever its capabilities and resources, can tackle problems such as climate change, epidemics, drugs, trafficking in persons, transnational organized crime and other global challenges, which requires us to join efforts to find appropriate solutions to meet these challenges.
HE Al Muraikhi said that that the Summit is a renewed opportunity for the NAM Member States to reaffirm their commitment to the principles and purposes of the Movement, and a way to enhance pluralism and cooperation among Member States to face challenges and achieve common goals based on the principles of international law and the goals and objectives of the Movement, and Charter of the United Nations, including the friendly relations between states, resolving disputes by peaceful means, establishing a culture of peace, not using or threatening force, and respecting the sovereignty of states and not interfering in their internal affairs.
HE the Minister pointed out that multilateral action faces an unprecedented crisis and threats for decades. He pointed out that in light of the contemporary international changes and successive events, the international community is in dire need to strengthen the bonds of understanding and rapprochement, stressing that civilizational dialogue between peoples and nations is the best way to realize this goal.
HE Al Muraikhi said that NAM is of particular importance as a platform for joint action, especially since the pursuit of multilateralism was one of the reasons for its establishment, adding that the Movement is still central to efforts to promote the principle of multilateralism. He pointed out that on 24 April 2019, the world celebrated for the first time "International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace" as a result of the efforts of the leaders of the Movement, stressing the need for NAM to continue to promote the role of the United Nations and its reform to achieve its goals and objectives.
In another aspect of the statement of the State of Qatar at the Summit, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi stressed that the illegal and unjustified blockade on the State of Qatar constitutes a threat and a breach of collective action, adding that there is no doubt that the unilateral and coercive measures imposed by the blockade states are contrary to NAM principles.
HE the Minister pointed to the contents of the political declaration issued by the last ministerial meeting of the Movement held in New York on 24 September 2019, where it reaffirmed the rejection of unilateral actions by some countries that may lead to a violation of the UN Charter, international law and human rights, as well as the rejection of the use of coercive measures for political purposes in view of their negative impact on the rule of law at the international level and on international relations, stressing the non-recognition of any unilateral measures, including economic measures and arbitrary travel restrictions, and the need for solidarity with the Movement States facing such measures.
He explained that out of the keenness of the State of Qatar on security, peace, and stability in the region, it has called since the beginning of the blockade, and still, to resolve this crisis through unconditional dialogue based on mutual respect.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi pointed out that the Middle East is suffering from multiple crises that have negatively affected millions of people in the region, threatening entire generations and destroying the opportunities for social and economic development. He considered that these crises require the international community to strive to support peaceful solutions in accordance with international law to achieve sustainable peace.
The Palestinian issue, which had been awaiting resolution for decades, should remain on the NAM's list of priorities until the Palestinian people attained all their rights, he said, reiterating the State of Qatar's unwavering support for the Palestinian people in their just struggle to obtain all their legitimate rights, first and foremost the establishment of a Palestinian State on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, and on the basis of a two-state solution and the end of the Israeli occupation of all the occupied Arab territories.
HE the Minister added that putting an end to the various protracted crises in Syria, Yemen, and Libya requires political solutions through comprehensive national peace processes under the auspices of the UN, stressing that no definitive solutions can be found militarily or by committing more mass violations and atrocities. In all cases, the commitment of all parties to international humanitarian law and international human rights law remains intolerable, and accountability for abuses and atrocity crimes is a necessary condition for creating conditions for sustainable solutions, he stressed.
HE the Minister stressed that achieving peace, security and sustainable stability requires spreading and promoting a culture of tolerance, accepting the other and combating the rhetoric of extremism and hatred. Recognizing the importance of collective action in these fields, Qatar has devoted many efforts and initiatives to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue, combat violent extremism, provide educational opportunities and create employment opportunities for young people, HE Al Muraikhi explained.
HE Al Muraikhi added that the work is underway to establish a global center to apply behavioral visions to violent extremism and terrorism based in Doha, within the framework of the effective partnership between the State of Qatar and the UN in the fight against terrorism. He pointed out that the State of Qatar is actively participating in international efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms, in partnership with the UN and within the framework of international and regional arrangements in this field, to address the root causes of the emergence and spread of violent extremism leading to terrorism, and not to link terrorism and extremism with religion or race or culture.
HE the Minister explained that, in parallel with the promotion of peace and security, the Movement Member States need to advance sustainable development and give priority to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which required a holistic and human-centered approach, the pursuit of good governance, the rule of law, and the protection and promotion of human rights.
HE Al Muraikhi said that this holistic approach forms the backbone of the policies adopted by the State of Qatar at the national level to achieve benefit for all segments of society, adding that Qatar's foreign development policy also seeks to support developing countries in achieving their development goals, especially those in special situations.
HE the Minister pointed out that out of the keenness of the State of Qatar, as an active partner with the international community to tackle climate change as a major challenge for sustainable development, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani announced at the Climate Action Summit in New York last month that the State of Qatar has contributed USD 100 million to support small island developing states and least developed countries.
At the end of the statement, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi affirmed Qatar's commitment to cooperate with the NAM Member States to promote the Movement's principles and contribute to strengthening its role in achieving peace, security, and development and promoting human rights around the world.