Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi participating in the ministerial meeting of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative and NATO member states.
Ankara: Qatar participated in the ministerial meeting of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) and member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) held on the sidelines of the Alliance’s Summit in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
Qatar’s delegation was headed by Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs announced that an agreement had been reached on the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) between the State of Qatar and NATO.
He also announced that the final stage of establishing a NATO-sponsored Regional Centre for Peace Support Operations in Qatar is nearing completion.
In his address, Al Khulaifi said the meeting comes at a pivotal moment, when security and political challenges have become increasingly interconnected and global interests more intertwined, making it imperative to unify efforts and strengthen coordination to address these challenges, which affect the security of Middle Eastern countries and threaten the foundations of regional and international stability.
He noted that the Middle East has recently witnessed a dangerous escalation that has underscored the grave risks associated with military confrontation, stressing the urgent need to prioritise diplomacy, dialogue, and collective efforts aimed at preserving regional peace and stability.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Qatar’s call for adherence to the path of dialogue and diplomacy, efforts to de-escalate tensions, and building on the gains achieved through the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the United States and Iran, in a manner that contributes to enhancing regional and international security and stability.
He added that following the ceasefire agreement, Qatar intensified its mediation efforts in close coordination with Pakistan and other regional and international partners to help preserve the ceasefire, facilitate continued dialogue, and encourage confidence-building measures between the parties.
Al Khulaifi emphasised Qatar’s belief that sustainable security cannot be achieved through military means alone, but rather through diplomacy, direct dialogue, and the creation of political pathways. He reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to serving as a trusted mediator and facilitator of dialogue.
He continued: “Based on its conviction that diplomacy is the most effective path to resolving conflicts, the State of Qatar continues to engage constructively with all parties while maintaining open channels of communication, even during periods of heightened tension.
This approach has enabled Qatar to contribute to mediation efforts across the region and beyond, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in conflict prevention, de-escalation, and peacebuilding.”
In this context, he said, Doha is currently hosting meetings between representatives of both sides to continue their dialogue and advance efforts to resolve their differences through negotiation and peaceful means, thereby enhancing prospects for sustainable peace and economic growth at both the regional and international levels.
Al Khulaifi also highlighted Qatar’s strong commitment to strengthening cooperation with NATO under the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, launched in 2004. He noted that Qatar has supported efforts to enhance cooperation with the Alliance.
