(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA
Doha, Qatar: Good endeavors, mediation and dispute settlement through peaceful means represent a strategic option and core pillar of the foreign policy of the State of Qatar said Ambassador H E Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani In an interview with, His Excellency said The State of Qatar gives top priority to the principle of consolidating international peace and security in its foreign policy, which is one of most important and fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter Al Qahtani added speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA).
This principle is derived from the directives and vision of the wise leadership of the State of Qatar, and is based on the permanent constitution of the State of Qatar, its history, culture and the true Islamic religion. Qatars wise leadership, represented by the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has powerful desire and consolidated belief in the importance of moving forward to pursue mediation approach and exert good endeavors to bolster regional and international peace and security and consolidate Qatars status globally, he added.
Dr. Al Qahtani pointed out that the State of Qatar has gained an accumulative expertise spanning over more than a quarter-century in mediation and good endeavors which conspicuously consolidated its regional and global reputation and stature as a fair and independent mediator to achieve peace and security in the region and worldwide.
He emphasized that the State of Qatar - through its experience and expertise - gained the confidence of the international community and remained welcomed and acceptable mediator by virtue of the approach Qatar pursues in mediation which is consistent with the provisions of the international law, in addition to its adherence to principles of transparency, credibility, impartiality, observing cultural sensitivity of parties to the conflict, respecting religion, customs and traditions, as well as maintaining confidentiality of negotiations and commitment to high professionality during engagement with a variety of concerned parties.
The State of Qatar has no hidden political agenda and does not seek publicity when undertaking its role as mediator to settle disputes, as such efforts stem from its keenness to build peace, stability, and development both in the region and worldwide, Dr. Al Qahtani added. Qatar exists in a region that witnesses many conflicts and tensions and has a consolidated belief in the significance of taking mediation role to settle disputes and exert good endeavors to resolve differences to avoid conflict, along with its consequential human, economic and development costs, he noted.
The State of Qatar does not impose itself as mediator in conflict resolution or addressing any regional or international crisis without parties to the conflicts consent to engage in mediation, because such a matter is related to nations sovereignty, Al Qahtani said, adding that Qatar does not invite itself to interfere without approval of parties to the conflict.
Maintaining the confidentiality of negotiations is a fundamental principle and Qatar is bound by that principle, he stressed, outlining that Qatar has engaged in many mediation efforts and is still doing so which candidly made it a reliable and welcomed mediator in numerous disputes.
The failure of any mediation after reaching an accord is not attributable to the mediator, but to parties themselves, and any success or failure after accord is primarily the responsibility of parties to the conflict, whilst the role of mediator is to solely guide parties to the agreement to the path of conflict settlement, he noted. Al Qahtani underlined that the State of Qatar works within the framework of regional and international partnership while engaging all relevant parties to attain a regional and international consensus, which ensures success and sustainability of mediation.
He outlined that the diplomatic efforts the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pursuing at mediation level to resolve disputes are not private, but rather a collective effort through engaging many entities within the framework of an integrated system with the engagement of civil society organizations, cultural, humanitarian and development institutions, as well as efforts in the field of dialogue among civilizations, interfaith dialogue and intercultural dialogue to which Qatar gives a specially priority. Such an integrated vision comes within the framework of utilizing soft diplomacy, and stems from Qatars belief in the importance of addressing the root causes of conflicts whether they are cultural, religious, development, security or economic, Dr. Al Qahtani added.
He pointed to some concerned Qatari international institutions that are meant to engage in this field, such as Education Above All Foundation which is concerned with supporting education in the world, Doha-based Silatech organization which engages in capacity development and empowerment of young peoples abilities in the regions labor market, Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD), alongside relevant humanitarian institutions, centers and committees specialized in dialogue among civilizations, intercultural dialogue, and interfaith dialogue.
Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani touched on several crises that have been resolved through Qatari mediation, whether at the level of nations or political entities and groups, as well as the current efforts in some regional and international files.
Commenting on Afghanistans file, he asserted that the State of Qatar continues mediation efforts to achieve aspirations of Afghan people in peace, stability, and development. The Afghan file is one of the most important files in the international arena, and all bear witness to Qatar and to what it has accomplished at the political and humanitarian levels. Qatars endeavors for mediation succeeded and were culminated in the signing of the Doha Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan on Feb. 29, 2020, between the United States of America and Taliban that was approved by the UN Security Council, Dr. Al Qahtani outlined.
The suitable option for the status quo in Afghanistan is to revitalize Doha agreement between the United States and Taliban with the two parties commitment to its contents, he continued.
On many occasions, Qatar proposed to develop a perception to revive Doha agreement, along with an international mechanism to monitor its implementation, and to have a complementary role for the Islamic countries which can work in lockstep with the concerned parties to achieve stability, welfare and security for the Afghan people in the economic, cultural, humanitarian and security fields, he added.
In conclusion Ambassador Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani asserted that Qatar will pursue its active policies in good endeavors and mediate in conflict resolution and dispute settlement through peaceful means, based on the vision of its wise leadership, as inevitable approach and strategy.