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QNA
Doha
DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohammed al Attiyah has praised the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani for leading the country throughout ongoing one year old siege period efficiently.
In an interview published in the eighth edition of Altalaya magazine, the official magazine of the Ministry of Defence and the Qatari Armed Forces, he said that the unjust siege showed the pride of the people of Qatar and their unlimited solidarity with their political leadership, which gave the government a stronger incentive for further work.
Stressing that Qatar is better today than before, he said, that the siege forces were surprised at this level of love and mutual loyalty between the people and their leadership and even"tried to undermine this bond, but the people of Qatar foiled every attempt they made until they realised that this wall is solid."
According to Attiyah, Qatar under its wise leadership and loyal and committed people turned the siege into a historic opportunity to achieve self-sufficiency in different areas.
He said that Qatar has also developed international relations, both with the countries and governments of the world, as well as international organisations and agencies.
Regarding the strategic plans, he stressed that Qatar has been keen on opening up as part of its belief in peaceful coexistence, adding that Qatar is a recognised contributor to the maintenance of international peace and security.
He noted that Qatar's openness and its conviction about human communication, perhaps, had been the reason for the envy of others, but for Qatar it is a principle and a strategic choice.
Dr Attiyah pointed out that Qatar is looking for new sea routes and alternative air routes while continuing to call for the opening of the routes closed by the siege countries as the international law in this regard is on Qatar's side.
He stressed that the siege will not discourage the State of Qatar from focusing on development plans, especially with regard to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, adding that the siege countries are saddened by the rapid growth rates achieved by the Qatar, as well as by its pioneering roles in the development of friendly societies and peoples, so they have carried out the unjust siege, accompanied by various kinds of moral degradation, through the exploitation of sport, art and the abuse of social ties.
On cooperation and coordination with the European Defense Organisation and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and whether there are joint projects to be discussed in the future with these entities, he pointed out that Qatar has an open approach to the world, with its various countries and organisations.
"We have distinguished bilateral relations and strategic partnerships with many of our allies. We have relations that are evolving day by day with NATO. We have partnerships with the European Union through the European Defense Organisation. And we have also established the first operational squadron) with the United Kingdom", he said.
