Jaber Al Harami
The region and especially GCC states are facing serious risks, and big challenges, which is felt by Qatari and other GCC states’ leaders at this critical juncture which requires more unity and the transcending of minor differences.
It is a matter being constantly emphasised by the Qatari leadership confirming the fact that what we have in common is much bigger than the differences and the challenges we are facing. There is a need for the Gulf States to stand united more than ever.
On all occasions, Qatar practically reaffirms its support to Gulf and Arab unity and efforts at enhancing the brotherly ties between GCC citizens who ultimately constitute one family. Such a situation requires avoiding projections of political or differences in opinions especially if they are related to external issues.
The Qatari cabinet welcomed the decision of UAE President
H H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to release the two Qatari citizens detained in the Emirates. The cabinet lauded the decision which was described as equitable and expressed happiness of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the people of Qatar on the return of the two citizens.
Qatar is keen to maintain strong brotherly relations with UAE especially during these challenging circumstances in the region that require unity and solidarity.
The decision of the UAE president was fair to Qatari citizens. However, the decision did not use the word ‘pardon’, but ‘release’, contrary to what some media reports said. In Qatar, we have already overcome the issue of arrest of Qatari citizens and we considered that the past.
Our focus is to make Qatar and UAE work together hand-in-hand for the future.
Yes, we are happy for the closure of this file which affected the relations between the two sister states and their people. We are keen to maintain our relations, free of any dilution, far from tension as the relations between people are deeply rooted. There is no family either in Qatar or UAE which doesn’t have relatives in each other’s countries. It’s the same for other GCC countries. We are one family living in six countries which constitute the strong GCC entity despite challenges faced by the region. Thanks to the unity of the leaders and cohesion of the people that assured the continuity of the Gulf council.
Today, storms have revived and challenges facing the region have increased and this needs unity. We should not listen to ‘bad advisers’ who are trying to undermine our national unity by fabricating differences between our leaders and then between the people. We know how to address our differences because we believe that we have a common fate. Therefore, we don’t pay attention to minor issues.
The GCC today seems to be targetted and is facing multiple risks and there is no time to waste on marginal differences. Rather, we need to stand united to protect the unity of the council and challenge external threats. There are foreign and regional powers seeking to create differences between the member countries by fabricating unjustifiable crisis and trying to transfer differences at state levels to the grassroots level in order to disunite our people and destroy the common institution we have built over decades.
GCC citizens count on the wisdom of their leaders to overcome differences and move forward to realise the interests of their people by boosting the wheels of development. Foreign parties are sparing no effort to take advantage of a minor disagreement between the member countries and we should not allow them to be successful.
The release of the Qatari citizens in keeping with the decision of the UAE President is a step towards strengthening the ties between the two sister states and we would like to reaffirm our commitment to the brotherly relations and our readiness to work hand-in-hand for a better future of the people of the two countries.
