TIME and again Qatar has proved its reputation as a reliable partner and peace mediator in the international arena, which has brought not only peaceful solutions to several conflicts regionally and internationally but unprecedented levels of development and progress to the conflict-ridden regions. Qatar has successfully hosted several peace negotiations, the latest of which is the efforts for lasting peace in Afghanistan finally bringing the Taliban and the Afghan government to the negotiating table. The country had already brought the United States and Taliban face to face resulting in an agreement for prisoner release and withdrawal of foreign forces from the Afghan soil.
Qatar yesterday renewed its support for the peace efforts in Afghanistan and the participation of women in peace, reiterating its continuous support for the reconciliation process. The Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations, H E Sheikha Alya bin Saif Al Thani, in a closed virtual meeting organised by the UN Security Council on “Women and the Afghan Peace Process: Ensuring Women’s Participation and Promoting their Rights”, said that lasting peace in Afghanistan is a fundamental issue of the State of Qatar, adding that Qatar has made great mediation efforts to support and facilitate the peace process in Afghanistan.
The agreement signed in Doha in February between the United States of America and Taliban is not a minor achievement in the road to Afghan reconciliation as it was for the first time that the parties sat and talked face-to-face with the intention of bringing peace to a country beset with internal conflicts and wars for decades. H E Sheikha Alya also mentioned the talks under the auspices of Qatar and Germany in Doha from July 7 to 9, which discussed prospects of bringing sustainable peace to Afghanistan.
In 2011, Qatar had been instrumental in bringing peace and stability to Sudan by mediating negotiations which resulted in the signing of Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, which contributed to enhancing sustainability of security and stability. Sudanese ministers had several times hailed the benefits and progress brought in by the document to the country and its people, especially to the youth.
Qatar’s diplomacy and its international policy do not rest on negotiating and achieving just a peace deal, but the it is particular about the progress of the country or region involving everybody, whether it is women, children, youth or the elderly. Qatar always aims at the wholesome development of people, which the country believes the only way to establish lasting peace.
