Doha / Information Office / June 05  

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani affirmed that the State of Qatar is stronger than it was before the blockade, stressing that it is time to end this unfortunate chapter in the history of the Gulf. It is time for the blockading nations to abandon their delusions of victory, prioritize the security interests of the entire Middle East, His Excellency added.

In an article published in New York Times newspaper, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said: "The past year Qatar has been subjected to a reckless and ill-considered blockade imposed by four countries: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt", noting that "these nations felt threatened by Qatar's independent foreign policy and in response, they have closed our borders and barred flights to our country."

His Excellency added: "The blockading countries may have expected to bring Qatar to its knees. If that was their intention, their effort has clearly backfired."

"Today, Qatar is stronger than it was a year ago. Within 24 hours of the imposition of the blockade, we quickly established new sources and alternate, more sustainable supply routes for basic goods, like food and medicine. In the weeks and months that followed, we signed new, long-term contracts for economic cooperation, at the same time accelerating plans to diversify our economy by diminishing our reliance on our hydrocarbon resources," He stressed.

"Last October, months into the blockade, the International Monetary Fund reported that Qatar's economy was the fastest growing in the Gulf."  

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said: "The blockade of Qatar, now widely viewed as instigated under false pretenses, has undermined the Middle East's stability. By now it should be clear that there can be no "winners" in this dispute. It is, therefore, time for the blockading nations to abandon their delusions of victory, prioritize the security interests of the entire Middle East and end the blockade."

He noted that Qatar believes that the Gulf States need to establish a new framework for advancing peace and security. "Historically, the Gulf Cooperation Council has played a stabilizing role in Gulf affairs. But the G.C.C. was never meant to serve as a regional court, an advocacy group or a policymaking body."

The issues confronting the nations of the Arabian Peninsula require a broader platform for dialogue and negotiation, His Excellency said, adding, "Qatar's government believes that a new regional pact, unencumbered by the recent rift, could bring back the positive leadership and authority that once existed and that this would help our region to address the economic and political challenges we face."