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QNA
MUNICH
The Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani has said the ongoing blockade of Qatar by GCC neighbours is proving to be futile, warning that the months-long crisis is undermining the region's security and economic outlook.
"It has been a futile crisis manufactured by our neighbours, some of whom are major regional players, once believed to be stabilising factors on the world stage. That is no longer the case. The adventurous policies have undermined regional security and the economic outlook for the GCC as a strategic bloc," the Emir said at the opening session of the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Friday.
"Even with the regional turmoil, Qatar remains one of the most peaceful countries in the world. Despite the obstacles imposed on us, including a full land, air and sea blockade since June 5 last year, Qatar has accelerated economic diversity, opened new trade routes and bonded together in unity, emerging stronger," the Emir added.
"By offsetting the impact of the illegal and aggressive measures imposed on our people, Qatar preserved its sovereignty. This failed blockade shows how small states can use diplomacy and strategic economic planning to weather the storms of aggression from larger, ambitious neighbours."
"Those aggressive actors wish to use small states as pawns in their power games and sectarian conflicts. It is vital to the interests of the people of the Middle East to guarantee the independence and sovereignty of states like Qatar, which refuses to be forced to take sides in the stand-off between two entrenched camps," he added.
Despite the measures against it, Qatar has developed new international trade routes and accelerated economic diversity, the Emir noted.
The Emir said the Middle Eastern countries should put their differences behind them and forge a security pact modelled on the European Union to pull the region back from the brink.
"The European Union (EU) provides a framework for regional governance, and the peaceful arbitration of disputes. This framework is sorely needed in the Middle East," the Emir said.
"I believe that it is time for wider regional security in the Middle East. It is time, for all nations of the region to forget the past ” including us ” and agree on basic security principles and rules of governance, and at least a minimum level of security to allow for peace and prosperity," the Emir said, adding that"all nations in the Middle East, small and large, need to agree on a baseline of coexistence, backed by binding arbitration mechanisms, and enforced by the collective body of the region."
"We can mirror the efforts and ability of the European Union to find common ground to rebuild and prosper. Shifting from feuds to cooperation will require that each of us is to be held accountable if we fail to allow the flow of humanitarian aid to pass across borders, give safe and free passage to the followers of families, provide access to religious sites of all faiths, prevent the desecration of historic and religious sites, and respect common trade routes," the Emir noted.
"This should not be a pipe dream. Too much is at risk. The Middle East is at the brink. It is time to bring it back," the Emir said.
"I ask all nations in the Middle East to accept an invitation to participate in such a holistic security agreement. I urge all nations to continue putting diplomatic pressure on my region to get this done. We must start with a regional security agreement before the Middle East can put the turmoil behind," the Emir added.
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