DOHA: Advisor to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is also the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari has affirmed Qatar's enduring commitment to being a positive mediator for enhancing the security and stability of the region.
The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the weekly media briefing, highlighted the announcement made on Monday regarding the arrival of five American citizens who had been detained in Iranian prisons at Hamad International Airport in Doha. He explained that they were released as part of an agreement reached by both parties and that five Iranian citizens who had been detained in the United States were also released.
Dr Al Ansari further explained that as part of this agreement, frozen Iranian funds, amounting to approximately $6bn, were transferred to Doha. These funds would be used to activate the humanitarian financial channel through which these amounts would be allocated for food, medicines, medical equipment, and agricultural products for the benefit of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He noted that this agreement was reached through intensive visits and diplomatic discussions over the course of two years, involving visits to Tehran and Washington, as well as meetings held in Doha, both directly and indirectly. He noted that, despite significant challenges, optimism prevailed because this agreement, especially on the financial front, would lead to further negotiations on more significant issues in the upcoming stage. Dr Al Ansari emphasized that the stability of relations between Iran and the United States could lead to positive developments in the context of the 5+1 group and in regional dialogue with Iran.
In a related context, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reviewed the key moments of the visit of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani to New York. During this visit, he met with several officials on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The official spokesperson also mentioned that HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani chaired Qatar's delegation at the coordination meeting of the foreign ministers of GCC countries. The meeting discussed fraternal relations among GCC countries and addressed the invitation from the brotherly Republic of Iraq to take urgent and serious steps to address the negative effects of the developments resulting from the ruling of the Federal Supreme Court regarding the 2012 agreement between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Iraq.
Dr Al Ansari pointed out that HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also chaired Qatar's delegation at the ministerial meeting of the GCC countries with the United States. This meeting included their Highnesses and Excellencies the foreign ministers of the GCC countries.
Furthermore, His Excellency chaired Qatar's delegation in the opening session of the Sustainable Development Goals Summit. In his address, His Excellency said that the summit presented a significant opportunity to revive hope for achieving sustainable development goals. He emphasized the utmost importance of the current phase in implementing these goals and stressed that commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful means and dialogue based on respect are the optimal ways to ensure the preservation of development gains worldwide. He underscored Qatar's commitment to aligning its national development plans with the principles of sustainable development goals.
Dr Al Ansari noted during the weekly media briefing the hosting of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani alongside HH Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy HE Josep Borrell for a ministerial dinner on the Middle East. The dinner included discussions on the latest developments in the region and ways to enhance regional security and stability.
The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also mentioned the participation of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi in the official opening ceremony of the Sustainable Development Goals Pavilion funded by the State of Qatar in partnership with the Education Above All Foundation.
He further highlighted His Excellency's participation in the annual ministerial consultation meeting of the Arab League Council, as well as his participation in the ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), in addition to his participation in the ministerial meeting between the GCC countries and the United Kingdom.
Dr Al Ansari mentioned that Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater held meetings during her visit to New York with Deputy UN Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths, Director of Foreign Assistance at the United States Department of State Tamara Wittes, Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia (EMEEA) at the Gates Foundation Joe Cerrell.
The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted that Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khalifa, met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran HE Dr Ali Bagheri, and with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho HE Sam Matekane.
He also led Qatar's delegation at the ministerial meeting on "Peace Day Effort: An Effort for Middle East Peace" His Excellency reiterated in his statement during the meeting, organized by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab League, and the European Union in cooperation with the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, that the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestine represents a model of colonial occupation that has resulted in one of the worst ongoing humanitarian crises. He expressed Qatar's numerous calls for peace in Palestine and reiterated Qatar's firm belief that peace, stability, and security in the region can only be achieved through a just and comprehensive settlement based on international legitimacy.
His Excellency added that Qatar has made numerous calls for peace in Palestine, reaffirming Qatar's unwavering belief that peace, stability, and security in the region can only be achieved through a fair and comprehensive settlement based on international legitimacy.
Dr Al Ansari concluded the weekly media briefing by saying that the Qatari airlift to Libya continues on Thursday. He mentioned that the fifth and sixth planes would be sent from Al Udeid Air Base to Benina International Airport in Benghazi, carrying food, medical, and relief supplies from the Qatar Development Fund, Qatar Red Crescent, Qatar Charity, and the Permanent Committee for Relief and Humanitarian Aid.
