(MENAFN- AzerNews) By Kamila Aliyeva
The Persian Gulf crisis became a hot topic for discussion during the meeting of Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani with his Chinese counterpartWang Yi held on July 20.
Currently, Foreign Minister of Qatar is in Beijing on a working visit.
"Qatar is ready to begin constructive negotiations with all parties on the basis of respect for sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of the country and in accordance with international law in order to establish mutual trust and thoroughly approach the resolution ofexisting differences," Al Thani said.
He also approved China's objective position on the current crisis, noting that Doha is ready to continue maintaining regular contacts and coordination with Beijing.
Following the meeting, Wang called on Doha and the four Arab countries blockading Qatar to resolve their differences through talks within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), according to Chinese state media.
"All sides should continue restraint and conduct face-to-face talks as soon as possible, so as to avoid escalation of the situation, send out a positive signal in addressing the crisis through political and diplomatic means, and reassure the role of the GCC," he said.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain in June cut off diplomatic relations, severed air, land and sea links with Qatar, accusing the latter of supporting terrorism, and ordered Qatari citizens to leave their countries within two weeks.
In early July, the Arab states sent a list of demand and required Doha to cut diplomatic relations with Iran, close the Turkish military base, eliminate Al-Jazeera TV channel, extradite all persons wanted in four countries on charges of terrorism and pay compensation. Doha refused to fulfill these requirements calling thelistunrealistic and not actionable.
On July 19, Saudi-led block reduced the list of requirements for Qatar and urged Doha to commit to six common 'principles' on combating "extremism" and "terrorism", and to negotiate a plan with specific measures to implement them without a specific time-frame.
These principles include commitment to combat extremism and terrorism in all their forms and to prevent their financing, suspending all acts of provocation and speeches inciting hatred or violence, full compliance with the Riyadh Agreement of 2013, adherence to all the outcomes of the Arab Islamic American Summit held in May 2017, and refraining from interference in the internal affairs of states.
Currently, Kuwait acts as the main mediator in the crisis.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on Twitter:
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