Qatar's Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi
Doha: Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs, Qatar H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, has said Qatar’s foreign policy has mediation at its core, adding that the country’s religion and culture reinforce its stance to promote dialogue and peaceful resolution to strengthen international peace.
Dr. Al Khulaifi, while speaking on the second day of the 5th Global Security Forum (GSF) yesterday, highlighted the challenges and importance of mediation, Qatar’s efforts in reconciling conflicting parties over the years and the global recognition it has earned.
“Qatar strongly believes in the role of the mediation,” Dr. Al Khulaifi said.
“Article 7 of the Constitution of Qatar clearly states that Qatar’s foreign policy is based on the principles of strengthening international peace and security by encouraging peaceful resolution of international disputes, placing mediation at the heart of Qatar’s foreign policy. Qatar’s culture and religion further reinforce this,” he added.
Citing some examples of Qatar’s efforts, the official noted that Doha mediated and contributed to a truce in 2008 and 2010 between Yemeni governments and the Houthi rebels to prevent further killing of the Yemenis.
He also mentioned mediation roles in Lebanon in coordination with other important stakeholders, which ended an 18-month-long political crisis; In Sudan, Dr. Khulaifi said the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in 2011; facilitated a peace agreement between the transitional government in Sudan and Sudan’s armed movements that led into signing an agreement in 2020. Also, success in helping Djibouti and Eritrea reach a peace deal in 2011 after border disputes; and restoration of diplomatic relations between Kenya and Somalia in 2021.
By capitalising on those previous examples, he said Qatar also continues to work on several ongoing mediation efforts by understanding the cultural background of conflicting states, which he said “is essential for any mediator.” “A good example is the situation in Afghanistan. With good faith, seriousness, transparency, neutrality, vis a vis the disputant, Qatar has successfully reached several mediation efforts to reach peaceful agreements, notably between the United States and the Taliban,” Dr. Khulaifi said.
In Iran, he disclosed that Qatar remains a traditional partner in facilitating talks between Iran and other countries, including indirect discussions between representatives of Tehran and Washington. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs official also stated Qatar’s reconciliation role in the Chadian conflict. Doha hosted peace talks between the critical stakeholders in Chad, which resulted in a peace deal between the different parties.
Meanwhile, Dr. Al Khulaifi stressed that despite being a complex means of dispute settlement, inter-state mediation could prevent disputes among different nations if used wisely. He said that while states may be reluctant to identify the root of the problem or accept different opinions due to the complexity, mediation can still be effective, noting that states and the international community should promote robust regulatory frameworks favouring mediation in international relations and regional conflicts.
“A trusted and a neutral mediator can play a very important role by bringing the parties together, listening to them very carefully and proposing peaceful settlements to the conflicts,” he added.
GSF is being held under the theme ‘Reshaping the Global Order: Conflicts, Crises and Cooperation,’ and will discuss the global security landscape and the emerging threats and challenges facing governments.
