Qatar has been playing a key role in international efforts for global peace and conflict resolution. The State has played a crucial rule in resolving conflicts and easing tensions especially in the region, including its historic hosting and facilitation of intra-Afghan and US-Taliban talks. The role played by Qatar for peace in Darfur led to the signing of the Doha Peace Document, and the subsequent implementation of development and reconstruction projects in the region.
As Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has said, Qatar’s foreign policy “aims to bring different points of view together, to help all parties who need it, and to play a role of facilitator, in the region and beyond. The world needs dialogue to solve its problems.”
Qatari efforts have once again led to a tentative prisoner swap deal between the US and Iran. As a first step under the deal, Iran has moved five US citizens from prison to house arrest and in return, around $6bn Iranian oil revenue will be unfrozen, according to international media reports.
In a media briefing, Adviser to Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari detailed the efforts exerted by Qatar for the US-Iran breakthrough, as well as the State’s ongoing role for stability and development in Afghanistan. Qatar, as a reliable international mediator, has played a major and effective role in achieving consensus between the two sides, and continues its efforts in various files. Qatar hoped that this deal will lead to greater understanding and progress in Iran nuclear talks.
Qatari officials made numerous visits to Washington, DC and Tehran to help reach the deal. Al Ansari also acknowledged efforts by Oman and the European Union to reach the deal.
On the situation in Afghanistan, Qatar has maintained the necessity of keeping communication open between the international community and the interim set-up in Afghanistan. Qatar maintains that isolating Afghanistan is not the solution as seen in the past.
Qatar affirmed its commitment to supporting the Afghan people and working to host meetings with international parties and missions of various countries in Afghanistan to find more contact between the government and the international community within the framework of promoting human rights and ensuring a decent life for the Afghan people.
Qatar is geographically a small country, but, as H H the Amir said, every country, big or small, has a role to play in contributing to what is happening around the world.
