Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that resolving the Gulf crisis is victory for entire GCC. He said countries have agreed on general principles and differences will be addressed at bilateral levels between the countries. “We have agreed on basic principles to overcome the current differences and rules for governing state relations in the future” said H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, speaking to Al Jazeera. “The principles stated in Al-Ula declaration were signed for the restoration of full relations between Qatar and the nations that had cut ties in 2017. The principles include respect of state sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs of each other, or sovereign decisions, fighting terrorism and respect of international laws.”
Answering question about not revealing the content of the agreement, he said the parties agreed not to publish the agreement, but it contains the basic principles that have been clarified in the final statement of Al-Ula Summit and the Al-Ula Declaration’s specific rules are general rules and key principles and their publication has not been discussed, and it is not secret agreement”. Whether the agreement is different from what has been reached in 2014, Sheikh Mohammed stressed that the crisis led to an exceptional situation over the past years and the solution was a victory for the GCC, and this time we agreed on general principles and differences will be addressed at bilateral levels between countries, as issues of concerns and differences are different from one country to another, he added.
He said that there is no doubt the process would take its time, it is easier in terms of the people than for the political aspects. What has been reached is outcome of long time efforts and “We found that all the parties were willing to solve the crisis, and Saudi Arabia was entrusted to represent the rest of the countries. We cannot say this is a success for Qatar, Saudi Arabia or any other country, but rather it is a success for everyone,” he told Al Jazeera. “Saudi Arabia represented all the parties, and showed true will to find solution for the crisis and everyone participated and signed the Al-Ula Declaration.” H E Sheikh Mohamed pointed out that the circumstances of the 2017 crisis were different from the one in 2014 and the rift was different and therefore the understandings were different.
He went on to say that the GCC countries have different visions about dealing with Iran. Regarding Al Jazeera, H E Sheikh Mohamed said, “The issue of Al Jazeera was not raised. “Al Jazeera is an institution which we are proud of and its media professionals and its presence in Qatar. We guarantee freedom of expression and the issue of Al Jazeera must be dealt with p o s i t i v e l y a n d constructively.” About what are the next steps after Al-Ula agreement, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said:“The steps are the return of relations to pre-crisis level by all parties, and we cannot say that this is a success for Qatar or Saudi Arabia or any other country, but rather a success for all.” He said, “Problems between Qatar and the other parties are different so dealing with that is to be different as well.”
On the post-agreement and the return of relations, he said, “There is no doubt that the process will take its time, but it is easier between people than the political aspects.” On relation with Turkey he said, Turkey is strategic partner to Qatar and we have cooperation in different fields, and bilateral relation of each country is governed by nation interests and sovereign decision. On the Iranian issue, Sheikh Mohamed said, the reconciliation has no link with US differences with Iran or other countries “The GCC countries have different visions for dealing with Iran, and we want solutions to reduce the escalation.” H E pointed out that Qatar is observing escalation between America and Iran, and our message to both the sides is that we do not want escalation or military action.” Regarding normalization with Israel he said signing agreement with Israel is sovereign decision and Qatar respects their decision
