Dhaka / Information Office / May 05

The State of Qatar is taking part in the 45th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States, which began today in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka under the theme "Islamic Values for Sustainable Peace, Solidarity and Development".

HE Secretary General on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi heads the State of Qatar's delegation to the meeting.

HE Prime Minister of People's Republic of Bangladesh, Shaikh Hasina Wazed, opened the conference with a speech focusing on the status of the Rohingya minority. She called on the OIC to take a united solidarity position for the minority in their search for security and dignity.

HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the brotherly Republic of Bangladesh for hosting this important meeting, as well as for the hospitality and good organization. He also thanked the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire for its achievements and initiatives in support of joint Islamic action during its presidency of the previous ministerial meeting.

His Excellency stressed the State of Qatar keenness on being an active and constructive member of the OIC. He said: "Qatar will continue to promote this approach and make every effort to fulfill its common responsibilities and commitments at the national, regional and international levels on the issues of the Organization. This keenness stems from my country's interest in being an active and positive actor in the implementation of international commitments in all fields, and its emphasis on international cooperation and coordination to address common challenges. It also stems from its firm belief in the principles of international law and the Charter of the Organization, which underscores solidarity and supporting brotherly ties among Member States, especially in light of the rapid changes in our contemporary world. We believe that the importance of international principles is growing at a time when respect for the principles of international law, international humanitarian law and human rights is diminishing, and the will of peoples and the importance of safeguarding the dignity and freedoms of peoples and individuals are disregarded."

HE Dr. Al Hammadi added that the foundation of the organization is the independence of Palestine, the establishment of its national state and the unity of the Palestinian territories. Today, it remains our central cause, he said adding that the need is now more crucial than ever to resume the peace process negotiations with a view to reaching a just solution to this issue on the basis of the two-state solution agreed by the international community and in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy, particularly resolutions 242 and 338, the Arab Peace Initiative, and thus the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the guarantee of all Palestinian rights, including the right of return. He further stressed that the State of Qatar will continue to support the Palestinian people to realize their just aspirations and gain their legitimate rights.

He pointed out that the State of Qatar, in cooperation with various stakeholders from the United Nations, Member States and civil society organizations, plays an active role at the national, regional and international levels in the fight against terrorism and its financing and in addressing violent extremism, which leads to terrorism.

He added that these common challenges require everyone's contribution and cooperation in a positive spirit and comprehensive view in order to achieve international peace and security, prevent conflict and peacefully settle them, the adopt dialogue rather than confrontation, avoid fabricating crises and adhere to international law.

 HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi stressed that the crisis of the Rohingya Muslims broke out after they faced deliberate persecution and discrimination which forced them to flee their homes and leave their lands and properties. The practices in the western province of Rakhine oblige the international community to take legal and humanitarian measures to protect the Rohingya Muslims, to intensify political and humanitarian efforts, to find an urgent political solution that ensures the safe return of refugees to their country, and ensures their security and human rights and to facilitate their livelihoods.

He added that the State of Qatar had continued to support international initiatives in that regard and appreciated the efforts of the sister Government of Bangladesh in ensuring the safety of refugees and supporting their just rights.

His Excellency said to the conference: "You are all aware that the State of Qatar is making efforts in the fight against terrorism and as well as initiatives to eradicate this phenomenon which has been exacerbated by the successive crises witnessed by Islamic societies during the last decade. From this perspective, the State of Qatar has devoted a distinguished approach to dealing with this shameful phenomenon by seeking to resolve regional and international conflicts, which were among the main reasons for the emergence of extremist ideology and terrorist organizations."

He went on saying: "My country is fully engaged in the implementation of the United Nations counter-terrorism strategy and is playing an effective role at the national, regional and international levels in combating terrorism, preventing its financing and countering violent extremism, in cooperation with various United Nations mechanisms, Member States and civil society institutions. There is no doubt that the challenges posed by the resistance to terrorism require everyone to contribute and cooperate in a positive and comprehensive spirit to achieve international peace and security, to prevent and resolve conflicts by peaceful means, to adopt dialogue rather than confrontation, to create crises and to abide by the principles of international law.

His Excellency stressed that the principles upon which the Organization of Islamic Cooperation were established require Member States to respect the its Charter and conventions, "But it was regrettable that those principles were not being adhered to as required," he said stressing the necessity of reforming the Organization, activating its role, and that its statute must be effective and fair.

He also thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Bangladesh as well as the country's Government and people for their keenness to hold and organize this meeting. He further expressed hope that the outcomes of the meeting would serve the benefit of Islamic world.