Doha – Information Office – 15 December
HE Foreign Minister's special envoy for Counterterrorism and Mediation of Conflict Resolution Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani said there is a general feeling in the Arab region that Europe is not doing enough for the central Middle East issues, despite its ability to play a bigger role, especially in the siege of Qatar, the Syrian issue and what is happening in Libya and other parts of the region.
In his address to the session of "Polarization in the Middle East and North Africa: what is the European role" held at the Doha Forum today, His Excellency said that the European role is not as effective as it should be adding that there is a lack of stability on a common foreign policy in the EU, pointing out that the Europeans have isolated themselves in the lack of harmony among themselves and the lack of effective positions on issues central to the world, despite the great potentials, values and established principles they have.
HE Dr. Mutlaq Al Qahtani pointed out that the European Union has played proactive roles in many countries of the world, but their positions in the Middle East and North Africa are volatile according to interests, explaining that sometimes EU takes a position as strong and fast as what happened with Iran, but the position on the heinous crimes committed in Istanbul were not as expected in accordance with their principles of human rights and the protection of freedoms, neither they were on the Syrian crisis and the Palestinian Cause.
The Foreign Minister's special envoy for Counterterrorism and Mediation of Conflict Resolution stressed that European national and security interests are at stake and the EU can not evade its responsibilities to the issues of migration, refugees and armed conflicts in the Middle East because everyone is in danger.
On the Gulf crisis, he said that Qatar is strong, united and dealing well with this crisis, while also taking part in fighting terrorism around the world, relief and humanitarian work, developing poor communities, removing obstacles to political solutions in conflict areas and cooperating with friends and allies from around the world.
Speakers at the session stressed the importance for the European countries combined to play a prominent role in the issues in the Middle East and North Africa, to find solutions that enhance security and stability in the region, especially that Europe is not far from the region, and has suffered greatly from the negative impacts of the crises that occurred in it, most importantly the migration issue. They stressed the importance of a clear European position on the issue of arms exports to the region, instead of only seeking the individual economic interest of each country.
Meanwhile, other speakers justified the Europeans' cautious role in dealing with the Middle East issues and their interference only if they were called, referring to the importance of finding solutions to those issues from within the region, stressing the importance of activating diplomatic work.
A lineup of European and Middle Eastern officials took part in the session.