Impact of blockade at economic level has been marginal: envoy

11/21/2017 10:50:04 PM

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Ambassador of Qatar to Italy Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al-Malki has reiterated that terrorism and extremism are among the most serious challenges facing the international community.
Speaking at the University of John Cabot, the envoy described the Gulf crisis as unprecedented in the region, but said the impact of the blockade on the economic level has been marginal.
The Gulf crisis has no precedent in the region because it contradicts the region's moral history and contradicts international norms and laws as well as customs, traditions and common factors that unite the Gulf states, al-Malki noted.
He added that the fundamentals of Qatar's foreign policy depend on the balance between the firm principles and the interests of the people of Qatar and the peoples of the region coupled with political reality.
Stressing on Qatar's conviction that terrorism and extremism are among the most serious challenges faced by the international community, he said that this has led the nation for joint action in co-operation with the international community.
The envoy said: 'It is no secret to anyone that the real reasons behind the blockade are not the fight against terrorism, but it is an attempt to impose guardianship and interference in Qatar's foreign policy and the containment of its sovereignty and interference in its internal affairs, which violates international laws and the principles of the United Nations.
Al-Malki stated, 'This is unacceptable on our part, and I do not think this will be acceptable to any independent and sovereign state.
The impact of the siege at the economic level has been marginal, the envoy said, pointing out that Qatar, under its wise leadership, had taken immediate measures necessary to meet the challenges in the field of air and sea transportation besides finding alternative sources of primary goods and services.
This has restored the situation back to normalcy in record time and in the course of time the supply channels of goods and services and availability of products have become better than in the past.
The envoy pointed out that 'one of the objectives of the siege has been to target our economy and create political tension that affects the stability of Qatar. This plan has failed because of the determination and will of the Qatari people, he said.
Al-Malki said based on the convictions and the belief of the State of Qatar that constructive dialogue is the best way to resolve the crises and disputes, the nation's leadership has stressed the need to resolve this dispute through constructive dialogue within the framework of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and Kuwaiti mediation.

Last updated: November 22 2017 01:37 AM

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