Khalid Tawalbeh
Doha
Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khelaifi has emphasised the importance of openness and meaningful dialogue between Iran and the Gulf countries, with a focus on the interests of the people and the principles of good neighbourliness.
Speaking at the second edition of the Arab-Iranian Dialogue Conference, organised by Al Jazeera Centre for Studies, in collaboration with the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations in Iran, on Saturday, Dr Khelaifi highlighted Qatar’s role as an international destination for bridging perspectives and building relationships between regional and global nations.
He outlined Qatar’s commitment to enhancing dialogue and cooperation, as the country collaborates with both the United States and Iran to achieve understanding and reach agreements.
He expressed the belief that continued constructive dialogue plays a crucial role in connecting the destinies of Arabs and Iranians, despite the difficulties and challenges facing the region.
The opening session, titled ‘Security, Economy and Crises: Approaches and Solutions’, brought together distinguished officials, researchers and experts to discuss pressing issues facing Arab nations and Iran.
The conference served as a platform to foster constructive engagement and promote better understanding between Arab countries and Iran.
By facilitating open discussions on regional security, economic challenges and ongoing crises, the conference aims to find common ground and explore avenues for collaboration.
Dr Kamal Kharrazi, former Foreign Minister of Iran and the chairman of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, highlighted the importance of normalisation between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
He commended Qatar’s role in the negotiations on the nuclear file and in enhancing bilateral relations between countries.
He stated that cooperation and integration in addressing common challenges, such as terrorism and regional tensions, are the correct path to building security, economic and cultural integration in the region.
“Iran considers security in the region as its responsibility and a guarantee for regional stability, while it sees the importance of the withdrawal of foreign forces from Syria and the achievement of dialogue in Yemen to achieve peace and stability,” Dr Kharrazi said.
He expressed his gratitude to the Qatari government for its efforts in strengthening relations with Iran, underlining the importance of collective work to enhance regional decisions internationally and reach solutions to regional and international issues.
Dr Abdulaziz Al Owaisheq, assistant secretary-general for Political Affairs and Negotiations at the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, underscored the importance of regional cooperation and fruitful dialogue in enhancing stability and security in the region.
He underscored the strength of open and frank dialogue and the exchange of opinions between the Gulf countries and Iran, and called for more efforts to promote understanding and build mutual trust.
He also stressed that economic and security cooperation between the Gulf countries and Iran is essential to address common challenges, including combating terrorism and enhancing regional stability.
He called for more bilateral meetings and direct discussions between the Gulf countries and Iran to enhance understanding and reach peaceful solutions to regional issues.
Discussing one of the central themes of the conference, participants engaged in fruitful talks about the various security challenges faced by both Arab nations and Iran.
Key topics included the conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, as well as the Palestinian issue.The participants offered their perspectives on these complex situations, highlighting the importance of dialogue, de-escalation and diplomatic solutions to achieve lasting peace and stability.
The participants also recognised the potential for enhanced economic cooperation between Arab countries and Iran, stressing the importance of leveraging mutual strengths and resources.
The conference also shed light on the ongoing crises in the region and examined ways to address them effectively.
Participants delved into the humanitarian situation in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, stressing the need for urgent action to alleviate suffering and restore stability.
Discussions on the Palestinian issue focused on achieving a just and comprehensive solution that respects the rights of the Palestinian people and ensures a lasting peace in the Middle East.
On the Iranian nuclear issue, experts and researchers shared insights into the current state of affairs, exploring potential avenues for diplomatic engagement and nuclear non-proliferation. The discussions underscored the importance of continued dialogue and adherence to international agreements to address concerns.
The conference provided a platform for meaningful engagement, where participants from Arab nations and Iran came together to discuss pressing issues and explore possible solutions.
