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Maneesh Bakshi
Doha
Qatar is willing to resolve the Gulf crisis but has seen no sign that the Saudi Arabia-led bloc that have imposed an unjust blockade on Doha is open to mediation efforts, Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani has said.
"Qatar welcomes any effort that supports the mediation role played by the Emir of Kuwait HH Sheikh Sabah al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah to resolve the ongoing Gulf crisis," Sheikh Mohammed said during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Doha on Wednesday.
"Qatar also welcomes the Russian efforts in this direction."
The FM underlined that Qatar firmly believes that this crisis can only be resolved through a"constructive dialogue in line with international obligations on all states, and not by dictates or by submitting list of demands that undermines Qatar's sovereignty or the international law which the siege countries claim to respect".
"Unfortunately, we have seen nothing but the opposite. It is very clear that the siege countries have so far failed to provide any evidence," the FM said.
He said Qatar was the only side in the dispute that has responded to Kuwait's efforts positively."None of the siege countries has responded to Kuwait's efforts and all of them continuing to ignore any mediation efforts, whether from Kuwait or any other friendly country," he added.
The FM said contradictory statements being issued by the blockading countries suggest that they have no intention or the seriousness to find a solution to the crisis."We fail to notice any tangible efforts being made in terms of resolving the crisis by these countries," he said.
"Such an approach adopted by the siege countries shows their intentions to continue the crisis and the siege. These countries accuse everyone who encourages dialogue to internationalise the crisis," the FM added.
"Our goal is to resolve this conflict and end the blockade and find a solution to the crisis that ensures the safety and security of Qatar and all the GCC countries," he noted.
On the impact of blockade on Qatar, the FM said,"The most severe impact of the blockade is not economic but humanitarian. It seems that it was the intention of the blockading countries to target Qatari people, instead of Qatar, which is very much confirmed by the selection of the Holy Month of Ramadan for its execution."
"This blockade has revealed the truth to us that we, as a country, must rely on ourselves, when it comes to food security and other matters relevant to our economy. We see it as an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to develop beyond the dependence on our neighbouring countries and develop a wide range of options for the people of Qatar," he said.
The FM affirmed that gas contracts were not affected by the crisis and Qatar continued to be a reliable partner in supplying the world with energy. He said the investors have great confidence in Qatar, its economy and its legal environment for investment.
Commenting on the statements made by the UAE ambassador in Washington, in which he said that the siege countries have no objection to dialogue without preconditions, Sheikh Mohammed wondered why is there no call for dialogue by the siege countries if that is true?"We do not always take the statements of the siege countries seriously because there are a lot of contradictions."
The FM recalled several attempts to hold an unconditional dialogue by mediators and most recently by the Emir of Kuwait."The siege countries did not respond to those calls for dialogue and set conditions each time they were invited to talk. Qatar has expressed its desire to resolve the crisis through dialogue more than a dozen times, and to reach a settlement that respects the sovereignty of states and the international law, based on mutual and collective commitments."
"Today, after three months of crisis, the siege countries have problems with Qatari people also, and not only with the government of Qatar."
He said that Qatar approached all international organisations to force the siege countries to retreat from their illegal measures but to no avail.
The FM underlined that violating the sovereignty of Qatar and the international law is 'unacceptable.'
He exuded confidence that Qatar's pursuit of justice through clear official channels will achieve the desired results, but it will widen the gap between Qatari people and the governments of the siege countries.
For his part, the Russian Foreign Minister stressed the need to find solutions to the Gulf crisis on the basis of consensus and positions acceptable to all, and rejecting the offensive and useless speeches, stressing Russia's support for the Kuwaiti mediation, and its readiness to contribute to any effort in this regard.
He underlined that Russia is keen on preserving the unity and strength of the GCC.
