Foreign Minister, German Counterpart Hold Joint Press Conference
Wolfenbuttel, Germany / Information Office / June 09
Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani has underlined that the measures taken by some neighboring countries and other countries towards the State of Qatar are "contrary to international law and humanitarian law". He stressed that there is an attempt to mobilize international public opinion against Qatar.
Speaking during a joint press conference with his German counterpart HE Sigmar Gabriel here today, HE the Foreign Minister that these measures had damaged the social fabric of the Gulf .. pointing out that such measures were not taken against hostile countries. He expressed surprise that such measures to taken against a sisterly country which is an integral part of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
HE the Foreign Minister thanked his German counterpart for his courageous stance and solidarity with the State of Qatar, which was based on principles before the interests, especially with regard to economic, air, sea and land siege, which is considered collective punishment by three countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council against the State of Qatar, HE the Foreign Minister added.
HE the Foreign Minister said that the meeting with his German counterpart dealt with the background of the crisis, which was based on a media escalation according to exacerbated fabrications that led to the point of severing diplomatic relations and siege of the land borders and closing the airspace and ports. He pointed out that this matter started from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE in coordination with Egypt .
HE the Minister said there is a mobilization for the inclusion of other countries in this list and we do not know the reasons for this mobilization against the State of Qatar in this way, wondering what was crime committed to deserve this collective punishment, which violates all international laws." HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that if there are disputes or differences, there are clear laws and mechanisms to resolve them.
HE the Foreign Minister said that his meeting with his German counterpart also included an explanation of the background of the crisis and its impacts now and in the future, criticizing attempts to silence the mouths and block the views of sympathizers with Qatar through sanctions.
HE the Minister stressed that the strategic choice of the State of Qatar is the dialogue despite the successive escalation by these countries, pointing out the efforts and efforts of HH the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to resolve the crisis .. "There is also support and efforts from many friendly countries to contain this crisis and lift this unjust blockade of the State of Qatar and then the start of negotiations. ", HE the Minister added.
HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that there were a lot of question marks raised over the terrorist list issued last night by the four countries mentioned. His Excellency added that the list was the latest in a series of false accusations that lack any proof.
His Excellency noted that the list included people who had no ties to the State of Qatar and did not live there and may be have never even passed by Qatar. His Excellency added that the list included individuals from Qatar which are designated as terrorists by the UN Security Council, but are already facing legal punishment. HE the Foreign Minister said that the list also included journalist that had no ties with any organizations. There were also charitable organizations that are highly prestigious with consultative status in the United Nations such as Qatar Charity, His Excellency added.
HE the Foreign Minister added that terrorism lists are subject to laws and international standards and should not be done for political means to target an individual or an institution. His Excellency added that the State of Qatar does not know the standards that the countries used to set up the list, but it was clear that its goal was to continue making false accusations and did not have clear standards. His Excellency noted that the State of Qatar will not interact with such baseless accusations, but will clarify to the public opinion the background of those people to reveal the work being done to target the State of Qatar.
HE the Foreign Minister said there were question marks about listing individuals and linking them to Qatar, even though they reside in the countries that set up the list.
For his part, Minister for Foreign Affairs Sigmar Gabriel said that Qatar was a strategic partner in counter-terrorism efforts. He stressed his country's rejection of severing ties and enforcing a blockade on Qatar as unacceptable.
He noted that there must be a resolution and a lifting of aerial and maritime blockade enforced on Qatar. He highlighted that the State of Qatar was an important part of the international coalition against ISIS and added that there shouldn't be a desire to weaken that coalition, and that the focus should turn to ISIS once the Qatar crisis ends.
He added that his country and the international community express their alarm at the tension in the Middle-East.