DOHA: The Emir, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, yesterday said minor differences of opinion on issues among GCC leaders should not affect their people, the region’s economies, society and the media.
“We learnt from recent experience that we should not be in a hurry to change political differences which could happen among leaders and interpret their political stands into differences that could affect our society, economy and media,” said the Emir.
Opening the 35th session of the GCC Supreme Council at the Sheraton Doha yesterday, the Emir said if the means of cooperation and collaboration and the institutions don’t function properly during the differences of opinion, this means that “we did not succeed in laying strong foundations for these institutions”.
“The brotherly relations among our people should not be affected in crisis, but if they are (affected), this means that the GCC as a body exists only at the level of leaders and does not reflect the unity of their people.”
The Emir said that by practice alone “we can make things that are common to us and our cooperation above our differences”.
“This is the way we can change the GCC into a real entity and only then can we say that the GCC is the only effective Arab organisation of unity in the world. Then only we can have the right to say that we can become a role model for other Arab unity organisations.
“Under the challenges and risks facing us from different directions we must not be bogged down by minor differences and details.
“It is time,” said the Emir, “for the GCC to specify its role and stances on issues in the political situation in the region in accordance with its strategic position, importance and weight.
“Together we must play our role and pursue our common interests.”
“Big powers (a reference to the GCC) do not wait to be asked to act. They act on their own. They deal according to their interest, and with those who prove that they are equally strong (in the region),” said the Emir.
The GCC leaders took part in the summit with the UAE delegation led by Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Kingdom of Bahrain’s delegation led by
H M King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s delegation led by Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; the Sultanate of Oman’s delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said; and the State of Kuwait’s delegation led by the Emir H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.
The Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani attended the opening session along with the Emir’s Personal Representative H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani also attended the session along with the Advisory Council Chairman, sheikhs and ministers, the GCC Secretary-General and his assistants, members of the GCC consultative board, as well as ambassadors.
The Emir said the summit was held in the backdrop of complicated and delicate international and regional circumstances, which put further responsibility on the leaders to enhance joint work in line with the aspirations of the GCC people.
He hoped “that the summit will set the foundation for a new chapter in Gulf relations by strengthening the spirit of fraternity and solidarity.”
The Emir said the uncertainty characterising the current global and economic context, and deep-rooted political and economic transformations the world is witnessing, call on the GCC states to work towards economic integration and development.
He praised the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, calling for Gulf Union and eventually an Arab Union, which will remain a “lofty goal.”
The Emir said believing in that goal requires gradual steps towards economic integration “as well as social and cultural relations among our peoples that would eventually lead to achieving our common goals and interests”.
The Emir spoke about Israel’s aggression and terror in the Palestinian territories, saying that Israel’s illegal settlement policies, attacks on the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque and changing the identity of Jerusalem “contradict international norms in their simplest sense.”
Such aggression makes it binding on Arab countries and the international community to assume their responsibility towards Palestine.
He warned that Israel’s continuing violations of human rights and persecution of Palestinians through its apartheid policy will have grave consequences in the region, turning the two-state solution, accepted by the international community, into an “unviable slogan”.
He stressed that the Arab and Islamic world should take a serious and strong stance to defend the sanctity of Islam in Jerusalem and provide further support to the people of Palestine.
The Emir described the international community’s silence on Israel’s aggression as “a great crime against humanity”.
He called on the international community to comply with peace efforts and reach a just and comprehensive settlement based on international legitimacy resolutions. This would end the suffering of the Palestinian people and prevent Israel from prejudicing the status of East Jerusalem, he said.
The Emir said the situation in Syria is getting more tragic for its disaster-stricken people, adding that among the main reasons of the situation’s deterioration is “the absence of a clear vision on the part of the influential forces in the international community to resolve the crisis, and the malfunctioning of the international order manifested by the double standards of the international legitimacy.
“The (UN) Security Council has miserably failed to protect civilians from war crimes and genocide, committed by the Syrian regime who insists on rejecting the political solution and adopting the comprehensive military solution.”
The Emir reiterated support for a political solution to end Syrian bloodshed, fulfil the Syrian people’s demand for change, security and stability by providing sufficient guarantees that secure their rights, achieve their fair demands and abide by the integrity of the Syrian land and people.
“We also confirm that we are backing the Syrian people’s right to defend themselves as long as the political solution is not available and as long as the great powers marginalise the issue of the people prioritising their other interests.
“The current situations in many sisterly Arab countries such as Libya, Yemen and Iraq underline the need for combined regional and international efforts to help them surpass the current circumstances,” said the Emir, adding: “We hope that the governments and political forces in those countries will conform to national reconciliations that end violence and address the aspirations of the people for security and stability.”
The Emir stressed that such reconciliation requires a “realistic and rational approach that puts the national interest above partial interests without excluding any of the social and political components,” while rejecting all forms of fanaticism that fragment political entities.
Terrorism is posing a serious threat to the Arab world, the Emir said, adding that the phenomenon is a “serious challenge” to stability, security and development of the region, and called on the international community to work collectively to confront terrorism and eradicate terrorism’s political, social, and economic causes.
The Emir also stressed that “violence, persecution, repression and blocking the prospects of hope breeds violence”.
The Emir said there is no option but to confront terrorism, adding that countries must exert efforts to “spare Arab societies the scourge of extremism and terrorism by means of protection before remedy”.
The Emir then highlighted security threats to the GCC and said GCC leaders welcomed the 5 +1 agreement concerning Iran’s nuclear programme. He stressed that Qatar is keen to resolve differences through peaceful means and ensure the Middle East is free of weapons of mass destruction. The Emir also highlighted Qatar’s emphasis on maintaining cooperation and good neighbourly relations with friendly countries outside the GCC.
The GCC leaders and members of delegations honoured the Emir of Kuwait after the UN named him ‘Humanitarian Leader’ and Kuwait a ‘Humanitarian Centre’.
The Peninsula
