Doha, Qatar: Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Dr Majed bin Mohammed
Al Ansari has said that Qatar’s mediation efforts (between the US and Iran) continue with a view to reaching an agreement that brings the crisis to an end through a diplomatic solution and prevents further escalation in the region.
“The Qatari delegation held an extensive meeting in Tehran to exchange proposals and bridge differences between the two sides... any escalation in the region threatens the security of the entire region and adds further complications to the negotiations... we are working to halt the escalation and reach a diplomatic agreement,” Al Ansari said in MoFA’s weekly media briefing held yesterday.
He said that Qatar continues its efforts to bring the US and Iran closer together and exchange proposals aimed at bridging the gap between the two sides. “Both parties have demonstrated commitment to the negotiating process and are reviewing the proposals put forward, despite the escalation witnessed in the region.”
“The Qatari delegation that travelled to Tehran on Monday arrived without any difficulties and held an extensive meeting with its Iranian counterparts that lasted around three hours. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on various proposals currently under consideration to bridge the differences between the parties.”
Al Ansari said the continuation of negotiations, the parties’ commitment to engaging in them and their consideration of the proposals offered a “glimmer of hope” for reaching an agreement. “A mediator cannot lose hope. There are developments in communication between the parties, but it is not possible to speak about any particular development at this stage,” he said.
To a question, he said that these efforts are being undertaken in full coordination with regional partners, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. “There is a broader agreement among GCC countries on the need to prevent further escalation in the region and work towards de-escalation to protect their peoples from any further tensions.” He noted that Qatari-Pakistani mediation remained a priority for Qatar.
Al Ansari described cooperation with countries across the region as being at a “very high” level, noting that all efforts were directed towards supporting mediation and resolving the crisis diplomatically. “There is continuous daily coordination among Their Highnesses and Excellencies in the countries of the region, with each country playing its role in coordination with the other parties, as part of a joint regional effort to spare the region the consequences of escalation,” he said.
On the targeting of the Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker Al Maayda, Al Ansari said Qatar had condemned the attack and stressed that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Gulf was non-negotiable. “Qatar rejects any threat to freedom of navigation, whether directed against a Qatari vessel or any other ship in Gulf waters... any escalation in the region, whether through military attacks or the targeting of vessels in Gulf waters, poses a threat to the entire region and endangers its peoples. It also affects the negotiations.”
Responding to a question about developments related to Yemen and Houthis, he reiterated Qatar’s position in support of the legitimate Yemeni government and the Yemeni people in achieving their aspirations and overcoming the crisis. “Qatar has clearly condemned the attacks carried out by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia... we reaffirm our continued support for the Kingdom and the implementation of agreements reached under the umbrella of the GCC.”
Commenting on the visit of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the Russian Federation and Moscow’s role in the current regional crisis, Al Ansari said Qatar-Russia relations encompassed several areas of joint cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. He said the Amir’s participation in the eighth summit of heads of state and government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to its role and coordination in this important market in relation to global energy security.
He said discussions between the Amir and Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the regional crisis and the role Russia could play, alongside other international partners and permanent members of the Security Council, in helping resolve it. Regarding the Amir’s meeting with the Iranian president, Al Ansari said it came within the framework of ongoing bilateral meetings with officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Al Ansari also condemned Israeli allegations that Qatar had interfered in Israeli elections and sought to influence their results. “Qatar rejected those allegations completely and would not accept being used as a ‘scapegoat’ amid the domestic political polarisation currently taking place in Israel or in any other country.”
