(MENAFN- The Peninsula) H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, former prime minister, giving a lecture about GCC Regional Challenges and the Future of the Relations with the Neighbouring Countries, at Qatar University yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula By Mohammed Osman / The Peninsula
There is need for developing a quot;diplomatic, proactive and pre-emptivequot; joint strategy for the Gulf states to face the policies aimed at creating tension and conflicts in the region, former prime minister and foreign minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani said yesterday.
Giving a lecture on 'The States of The Gulf Cooperation Council: Regional challenges and the future of the relations with neighbouring countries at Qatar University, Sheikh Hamad observed that the Gulf citizens have found a gap between their aspirations for unity and integration and the social and political reality.
'Our strength lies in achieving more cooperation and actual integration between the GCC members at all levels,quot; he asserted.
In order to enable the Gulf Cooperation Council to face the challenges, there is a need for reconciliation and openness between brothers and a critical approach with open mind and heart.
quot;Dealing with foreign challenges requires improvement of the 'Gulf interior house and enhance confidence,quot; said Sheikh Hamad.
He added that the region needs to create a comprehensive human development plan that prioritizes social development and empowerment of its citizens to develop their lives in various fields.
He spoke on the correlation between the security in the Gulf states and the security in the Arab world drawing attention to the impact of the issues that are happening in the Arab world on security in the Gulf states.
quot;In the post oil era, we need to develop national and GCC level vision to face the challenges with success said Sheikh Hamad, adding, ' In the past also, there were differences occurring between the GCC sister states but these differences were being managed in a way that didn't affect the common understandable factors and were kept under control until they were settled. Sheikh Hamad criticized the irresponsible use of social media in addressing public affairs or relations of countries.
HE was welcomed by QU President Dr Hassan Al Derham, other QU officials, government and embassy officials, representatives of local and international media, QU faculty, staff and students.
Sheikh Hamad also highlighted the causes of the conflicts in the countries that witnessed the Arab Spring, which resulted in the collapse of regimes and numerous revolutions and conflicts between yesterday's allies in authority and power. He noted that the lack of effective planning and cooperation between the Arab states has led to this reality.
He said: 'Iran is the biggest beneficiary of the collapse of Iraq in 2003 and the many revolutions of the Arab Spring. The reaction of the Gulf states towards these issues was not effective enough to deal seriously with the latest developments on the regional and international arena. In this regard, it is necessary to create joint institutions between the Gulf states to offer effective solutions to the economic challenges in the post gas and oil phase.
Sheikh Hamad also spoke about the ongoing issues in the region more specifically the situation in Iraq, Libya, Palestine, Syria and Yemen.
The Arab role in the Syrian cause has been marginalized and the issue has come under the control of regional and international actors, he said, adding, 'there will not be a stable Middle East without rescuing the state of Syria and its society by establishing a regime that meets the just aspirations of all components of the Syrian society.
Iran is exploiting the tribal and sectarian differences in Yemen to achieve its strategic goals of creating changes in the power balance in the Arab Gulf, he added.
In his remarks, Dr Hassan Al Derham commended Sheikh Hamad's speech on the current situation in the region and his vision on the future and the latest developments in the region and their impact on the GCC states.
quot;The university is committed to provide its faculty members, researchers and students with opportunities to get insight into the experiences of policy and decision makers,quot; said Al Derham.
'Over the last four decades, Qatar University has provided to Qatar thousands of graduates, experts, intellectuals, scientists and leaders, who contribute to the country's progress and growth in many areas,quot; he added.
MENAFN2304201700630000ID1095414720
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.