Qatar- ACD a platform for dialogue and partnership, says FM

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has said Qatar made several commitments as part of its vision for chairing the Asia Co-operation Dialogue (ACD).
These commitments included enhancing communication in the field of youth, education, culture, SMEs, and entrepreneurship.
He was speaking at a press conference at the conclusion of the ministerial meeting of the Asia Co-operation Dialogue held in Doha on Wednesday.
The Foreign Minister said an ACD presidency term of one year was not enough compared to the aspirations of Qatar and member states, stressing that Doha will remain an active partner for member states in light of the country's positive view of the future of the Asian continent.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman expressed the hope of enhancing co-operation with all countries, stressing that Qatar's contributions will not end with the end of its presidency, and that its actions represent a starting point for enhancing co-operation in the future, particularly in the fields of energy and economy.
He said Qatar has been honouring all its commitments since assuming the presidency of the ACD's ministerial meeting, led by prioritising the establishment of a partnership system between Asian countries, pointing to Qatar's initiative to teach the Arabic language to non-speakers as a method to bring the Asian countries closer together, in addition to hosting the ACD's third summit in 2020.
The Foreign Minister said ACD was not a place to discuss conflicts, but a platform for dialogue, partnership and co-operation.
At the beginning of the press conference, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the accession of Palestine to the ACD after its participation in the ministerial meeting was approved earlier in the day.
He said the work of the 16th session of the ACD was held in a friendly and harmonious atmosphere and that the meetings were fruitful and constructive and its results will reflect of the dialogue process and achievements during the coming period.
He said the slogan of the Doha meeting 'Partners for Development carries many important indications that build on the concept of partnership and dialogue among Asian countries, pointing out that the ACD is the biggest platform for dialogue in Asia.
Sheikh Mohamed pointed out that the ministerial meeting focused on the importance of achieving constructive co-operation and hoped integration among member states, complementing what has been achieved in the past and the work done to consolidate relations among member states with a view to moving towards a broader level of partnerships during the coming years.
He praised the role of the General Secretariat of the ACD for its co-operation and great effort in organising the meeting.
Sheikh Mohamed said the Gulf crisis between Qatar and some of the GCC states, in addition to Egypt, is a barrier to co-operation and communication at the regional level, expressing the hope that the blockading countries will not politicise the co-operation fields because of the conflict.
He said Qatar remains open to and ready for dialogue and discussion in good faith, but noted that they still see the same behaviour from the countries that imposed the blockade, one that is characterised by stubbornness and denial.
He expressed the hope that these countries will return to wisdom one day, and come back to the table to talk about their reservations.
Responding to a question on the participation of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the meetings inside Doha for the first time since the crisis, Sheikh Mohamed said their attendance comes in the framework of their roles as members in the ACD, and added that Qatar did not prevent any citizens or officials from the blockading countries from attending regional and international events held in the country.
He added that Qatar is actually committed to inviting them just like all other members, stressing that Qatar will not politicise the presence of any international organisation or meetings that it hosts.
Sheikh Mohamed added that Qatar participates in all meetings of international and regional organisations hosted by the blockading countries, a policy it will not change.
He also said the representatives of the two countries are not charged with resolving the crisis, as it is something that must be done at the leadership level and through the mediation done by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait.
In response to a question on the position of Qatar on US sanctions on Iran, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said Qatar does not see that unilateral sanctions will have positive results, and that resolving crises must be done through dialogue.
His Excellency added that the region is exposed to many pressures and crises and it must move beyond the crisis management stage in which it is currently living, and find sustainable solutions.
He said these solutions can only come through constructive dialogue between parties to the crisis.
His Excellency urged Iran and the United States to sit down and find sustainable solutions to the problem because the region cannot afford more crises and escalation.
ACD Secretary-General Bundit Limschoon said the Asian continent's large area and its vast resources were two of the reasons that led to the establishment of the group 17 years ago.
He said that it was not the first time that Qatar has had the opportunity to host the ACD, as it had already done so in 2006.
He also pointed out that the 16th Ministerial Meeting reflects the leadership role played by Qatar in its multilateral diplomacy.
He stressed that the results of the meetings confirmed that Qatar played a very important role in the economic and business arenas, and that the country links various Asian countries together.
Limschoon said that the slogan of the ministerial meeting 'Partners in Progress is very important because no country can work alone.
He added that importance of partnerships is what was highlighted at the meeting, praising the role played by Qatar.
It was agreed to increase the number of members by accepting the request of Palestine to become the 35th member of the ACD, noting that the dialogue now covers the entire Asia.
He also expressed his delight with the outcomes of the meeting, with the announcement that Qatar will host the third ACD summit, saying that it will be a great opportunity to present a comprehensive report on work mechanisms for all the leaders who will be present in the country.
He pointed out that there are a number of international organisations in Asia and that what the Asian Co-operation Dialogue is trying to do is to avoid mistakes made by the organisations, to ensure that the work of the dialogue is in the interest of the Asian countries in the long-term.

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