Qatar's deputy emir inaugurates 15th Doha Forum

HH Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani inaugurated the 15th Doha Forum and the Enriching the Middle East's Economic Future Conference at Sheraton Doha today.

The opening ceremony was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, HE the Advisory Council Speaker Mohamed bin Mubarak Al-Khulaifi, Iraqi Vice-President Iyad Allawi, Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, Former President of Tunisia Moncef Marzouki and a number of Their Excellences Sheikhs and Ministers in addition to heads of diplomatic missions accreted to Qatar.

In a speech during the opening session of the 15th Doha Forum and the Enriching the Middle East's Economic Future Conference, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani welcomed the participants of this annual meeting, which explores and studies the challenges as well as regional and international crises and how to address them through dialogue and peaceful means.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior added that the desired security and stability for the Middle East and also for all peoples can only be achieved when the international community, particularly the Security Council, takes just positions on important problems facing the world today, stressing the importance of fair settlement of disputes and chronic regional crises, which continue to drain energies around the world.

HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani pointed out that peace is the optimal and strategic choice for the Middle East region and that there will be no peace and stability in the region until there is an end to Israeli occupation of all occupied Arab territories and giving the Palestinian people their rights, including the right to establish their own independent State, with al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital on the 1967 borders in accordance with the decisions of the Arab and international legitimacy.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior added it was regrettable that the Security Council did not shoulder its legal and moral responsibilities to maintain international peace and security and to put an end to settlements, oppression and destruction, arrests and siege pursued by Israel. The council did nothing towards these Israeli practices and did not press or threaten to impose sanctions on Israel, as it did with other countries where less aggressive acts were committed, His Excellency said, pointing out that this reflects the double standards in dealing with peoples' issues, and is contrary to international law and costs the international community its credibility.

HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani stressed that the inability of the Security Council to resolve several disputes has resulted in the failure of the collective security system, which would lead to the creation of an environment conducive to violence and instability and make it impossible to achieve security and stability or promote democracy or human rights.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani said that the international community, especially the UN Security Council (UNSC) failed to end the Syrian crisis despite the continued suffering of the Syrian people due to the destruction, genocide and displacement carried out by the Syrian regime.

He called on the UNSC to shoulder its responsibilities and take the necessary legal measures to preserve the security of the Syrian people and realize their legitimate aspiration according to Geneva 1 conference's decisions.

HE the Premier stressed that the phenomenon of terrorism poses a real threat to international peace and security and damages the economies of target countries. Terrorism hinders sustainable development of nations, he said, pointing to the events which took place recently in many countries in the Middle East and the world and claiming lives of innocent people and disrupting the process of development.

More than ever, the international community is required to strengthen cooperation to eliminate this phenomenon by tackling the roots of organised violence represented in extreme poverty, blatant non-equality and disrespect for human rights as well as political and sectarian exclusion, he said, adding that if fighting against terrorism is confined to security and military solutions, peace will remain an unachievable mission.

He added that there must be a clear distinction between terrorism and the legitimate right of peoples in the struggle for freedom and legitimate rights.

HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister stated that realizing peoples' aspirations leads to the provision of security as well as political and social stability, thus achieving comprehensive development. This requires large investments which are not accessible to poor countries that need to diversify their sources of income, develop their economies, education and health services, eliminate poverty and the provide infrastructure for all sectors, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior added.

The State of Qatar has fulfilled all its international commitments in development assistance to the countries of the region and the world, he added.

Concluding his speech, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani said "We are aware of the great importance of the issues and topics to be discussed in this forum, and we look forward to its positive and fruitful results."