Washington: Qatari Ambassador to the US, Mohammad Jaham Al Kuwari, stressed the importance of Qatari-US relations at all levels.
Addressing the World Affairs Council of Houston in Texas, he said the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination is among the most important issues for the Arab world, noting that the American public opinion must be aware of the desire of the Palestinians to achieve unity, freedom and citizenship.
To achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict, Israel must realise that it is an occupying country, he said, adding that the establishment of Israeli settlements on Palestinian territories is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and a stumbling block to reconciliation the US seeks to achieve.
In his speech entitled ‘Qatar’s Future Vision’, Al Kuwari highlighted Qatar’s role in the Arab world and said its priority is to establish a system that ensures sustainable development and corrects differences between rich and poor countries.
He said Qatar tries to mainly provide assistance to humanitarian projects to facilitate access to education not only in countries that suffer poverty, but also in poor districts within the rich countries in the region.
Qatar seeks to determine how to contribute to international efforts, especially US efforts, to implement joint projects to fight illiteracy, poverty, and diseases, he added.
Qatar is also working to participate in climate change research, preventive diplomacy efforts, conflict resolution, and relief efforts in the aftermath of disasters, he said.
On Syria, he said the Arab world is facing the threat of a civil war catastrophe and added that the Syrian government has violated its most important duty — to protect its citizens as stipulated in the UN Charter.
The focus at this time should be on helping Syria resolve the conflict and restore its important role in the Arab world, he said, adding any solution to the conflict must be based on national unity, separation of powers, rebuilding of infrastructure, and solution to all political and social splits.
He stressed Qatar’s keenness to cooperate with the council and its affiliated universities to work with scientists, intellectuals, professors, business community and civil society to benefit from their expertise in delivering solutions and preventing problems on the international level.
Al Kuwari said Qatar is committed to education and investing in educational and cultural programmes to raise awareness to help solve causes that lead to the emergence of violence, eliminate manifestations of frustration and despair and improve the quality of life to ensure economic progress, political freedoms and international peace.
He also highlighted relations between Qatar and Houston represented in cooperation, medical facilities, research centres, and the energy sector, particularly in the field of liquefied natural gas with Exxon Mobil. QNA
