Talking about the proposed amendments to the constitution, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has said that the state will not take any action that is not in the interest of the citizen because the interest of the citizen comes above all else.
“The state took the step of electing two-thirds of the members of the Shura Council in 2021, despitemany opinions opposing this decision, but His Highness the Amir insisted on implementing the constitution,” Sheikh Mohammed said during an interview with Qatar Television.
“The issue was carefully studied with the help of experts and opinion leaders, and what was formulated will serve the next stage. The main starting point for the constitutional amendments: preserving national unity, unity among citizens, equal citizenship in rights and duties, and emphasizing the rule of law.” The prime minister said there is no legal age barrier for Shura Council members, and amendments will open the way for young people.
Talking about eligibility to be in the Shura Council, he said a member should be experienced and competent and that he takes into account the public interest in his decisions. “The powers of the Shura Council will not be affected by the constitutional amendments, and His Highness the Amir was keen on this matter.”
The mechanisms followed in the Qatari society are civil and have been known for decades, the Prime Minister said, adding “There is no difference between an elected or appointed council.We cannot compare Qatar to another country. Qatar is compared to Qatar, how it was in the past, how it is in the present, and how it will be in the future. The principle that we were assigned by His Highness the Amir is justice, and all people are equal in rights and duties and before the law.”
“There cannot be a law that differentiates between one group and another, and they are all citizens.”
Talking about the economic front, the Prime Minister said the Amir directives focused on building a strong, diversified economy capable of facing all challenges.
“After the completion of the World Cup projects, it is time to benefit from all the state’s investments. We are now working on developing policies to make Qatar attractive to foreign investment and adopt development in the economy.”
“We are not satisfied with many of the government services and facilities provided, and we are working hard to improve them. We are working on preparing the next generation by developing the educational system to deal with the industrial revolution and artificial intelligence.”
The health system is one of the best systems, the prime minister said.
“We hope to improve the health services while opening the way for investment opportunities for the private sector.”
Talking about the renowned Qatari mediation, he said, “Qatar’s role in mediation is not new due to the circumstances and relations with all parties. The issue of mediation for us in Qatar is a necessity and not a luxury. Qatar has built a reliable record of being a reliable mediator between all parties.”
The position of the State of Qatar in the international arena is honourable and raises the head of every Qatari, he said.
“We have been working on mediation in the Gaza file for more than a year, but unfortunately the agreement requires two parties. We made several extensive contacts with the Lebanese side and explained to them Qatar’s position, which is to stop the war in Lebanon. Lebanon’s major crisis is the war that resulted in the displacement of 1.2 million Lebanese, not the presidency.”
Qatar will not be exhausted as long as there is an expectation of results, he said.
“We succeeded last November through a prisoner release deal and a ceasefire, and unfortunately this was not completed, but we insisted on continuing to obtain another deal.
We have a noble goal, which is to stop the aggression against the Palestinian people. What is happening in Gaza cannot be accepted by any honourable person.”
When questioned, the prime minister stressed that Qatar does not accept any attacks or wars being launched from the Al Udeid base (in Qatar) against countries in the region or outside it.
Talking about Qatar’s relationship with the US, he said, “The relationship with the United States is a strategic partnership and is characterized by cooperation at multiple levels, with the emphasis that each party enjoys full sovereignty, and neither interferes in the affairs of the other.” (TNN)
