Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back, and hopefully, I can say to many of you to Chatham House, wonderful to have you with us again today and I can definitely say welcome back to his Excellency, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Welcome back to Chatham House. I think this may be – definitely the second, I think the third time I’ve had the pleasure of hosting you here, but wonderful to have you back with us at Chatham House. As you all know, we’ll be talking about Qatar’s regional role, though knowing our conversations, we may go to some other issues as well.
Before I, sort of, complete the introductions, let me just, as it’s always a bit more complicated these days, remind you, first of all, this meeting is on the record. It is a public event, so feel free to tweet #CHevents and any other things you want to link it with. For those of you joining us online, and I know as we have these days many people joining Chatham House online for these events, this will have a question and answer session as we always do. Please feel free to start to put your questions into the Q&A line on the Zoom function whenever you want, the earlier the better. The ‘raise hand’ and ‘chat’ functions will not work, so Q&A is your option, if you want to ask a question, and do indicate if you don’t want to ask the question live, otherwise we will reach out to you to see if you want to ask the question with your voice, if not your face, it’ll just be voice, if you wish to do it that way.
For those here, may I just say that our policy for meetings taking place in this room, so that everyone feels comfortable, is to keep our masks on inside the room throughout the meeting. Those on the stage don’t have to have their masks on, but if I could invite those of you who are here to keep your masks on, I think that is best for everyone who’s participating, so we appreciate your participation on that. When you ask questions, remove your mask, await the boom mic which will come to you, don’t need to stand up, you will be heard perfectly and then you can put your mask back on afterwards. Just raise your hand, as you normally do, and I will turn to you.
So, with that out of the way, just to remind everyone here, and I know it’s a very knowledgeable audience, and I recognise several faces in the room, I don’t need to tell you all that Qatar has played an outsized role – I only say outsized because of the size of the population, but an outsized role in not only regional politics and international relations, but also in global politics and international relations. So right through from the situation in Gaza, Syria, at a particular time in recent years, but obviously, also then globally in particular, as we’ve seen in recent years, in Afghanistan. We will be able to get to all of those issues in this conversation.
Sheikh Mohammed became Deputy Prime Minister in 2016, he became Foreign Minister in 2017, that puts him really at the epicentre of Qatar’s international relations. It is actively involved through him in the mediation that is taking place around the world, as we’ll be hearing shortly. He’s also Chairman of the Qatar Fund for Development and the Qatar Investment Authority, had a bit more of an economic background prior to his time in the Foreign Ministry. So, Sheikh Mohammed, welcome back to Chatham House. As I said, great to have you here, look forward to your remarks, look forward to the questions from our members online and in the room. We’ve got an hour, over to you, sir.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
And, first of all, thank you, Robin, for hosting me today, it has been almost, I think, a couple of years since we met last time. The world was quite different, we were pre-COVID and now we are post-COVID. Distinguished Chairman and members of Chatham House, I’m honoured to be here with you today for a thoughtful discussion on Qatar Regional and International Role.
2022 is an important year as the world begins to emerge together from the global pandemic. It presents a renewed opportunity to reflect on our global priorities and build a foundation for a greater collaboration. We in Qatar look to the future with a continued sense of optimism for peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond.
Each country has a role to play on the global stage and Qatar’s foreign policy is uniquely positioned to encourage peaceful resolution of conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. Article Seven of Qatar’s Constitution states that our foreign policy is based on the principle of enhancing international peace and security, through encouraging the resolution of international conflicts by peaceful means and co-operating with all nations that seeks peace. We carry out this mission through mediation, humanitarian and developmental aid, and counterterrorism. Our objective has always been to ensure a better future for all, and we work hard to mobilise our efforts and resources toward that end. These efforts would be fruitless if not for the continued support and collaboration of our partners across the world.
Recent events have highlighted the importance of international co-operation that include post-pandemic economies, conflict, and energy and security. As such, Qatar’s foreign policy relies on a strong bilateral and multilateral alliances. The importance of this approach is evidenced by our mediation efforts in Afghanistan, the largest scale evacuations and the co-ordination of critical humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. None of this would have been possible without united efforts. With rising energy shortages around the world, Qatar has also been working closely with the global partners to develop long-term solutions to meet the energy needs of the world. It is impossible to unilaterally deliver global energy security. This problem will require ongoing and extensive co-operation.
Distinguished members, 2022 will be a year to solve common issues together. It will be a year to unite people and to embrace our shared passion instead of our fears. It’s a truly exciting time for us in Qatar as we approach the 2022 World Cup. This event reflects contributions of Qatar, FIFA and our international partners over the last 12 years, allowing us the privilege to host the first World Cup in the Middle East and in the Arab world. I look forward to our discussion this evening and I look forward to host you all in November this year to cheer your teams. Thank you very much [applause].
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Thank you very much, Foreign Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, thank you very much for setting the scene and providing those positive words about Qatar’s intent. Maybe what I could do is ask a couple of opening questions. I can see a couple of questions coming in already from members online, which I’ll get to in a minute. But I thought given where we’re at and where the news has been here in London in particular over the last month or two, which has been focused on the situation in Russia, Ukraine, it is noticeable that Sheikh Tamim, the Emir of Qatar was the first GCC, the only so far, GCC leader to have met with President Biden in the White House, I think a bit under a month ago, towards the end of January, signed up Qatar or was welcomed, I think after Kuwait was the only GCC member as a major non-NATO ally.
You’re representing the US in Afghanistan as of November last year. I wonder if you could just say a word or two about the nature of this relationship with the United States, how you think it’s changing from Qatar’s standpoint, because certainly with a major base that you host there for US forces, there’s been a sort of defensive element of that relationship. But as a major non-NATO ally, at least to my ears that sounds like partnership internationally, maybe partnership on gas security, maybe partnership on Europe’s security. Could you just say a word or two about this focus on the US, what it is that for you and for Qatar, major non-NATO ally means, apart from maybe defence contracts, and so on. But, you know, does it mean something strategic, what’s going on?
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, I believe, first of all, Robin, the relation between Qatar and the US has been very strong for a long time. This year we are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relation between the two countries, and we believe that the progress that we have achieved, throughout different administration in the US, has been always in a positive direction. What we have done together was not only co-operation on the defence, but also in different, very important areas with our roots in economic co-operation, co-operation on the energy and co-operation on the education, which is also significant between the two countries. And the partnership that we demonstrated with the US invasion of Afghanistan, we’ve been hosting the talks between the US and Taliban for more than five years or seven years, approximately, until they reached agreement, and then hosted the inter-Afghan dialogue, together with the US and also supporting the evacuation efforts, supporting the efforts of the global coalition against ISIS.
Qatar or Al Udeid Air Base actually served as a centre of command for the operation, and I think that there are a lot of strategic issues that we are working together very closely with the US. Of course, as I have mentioned in my speech, Qatar really work in an environment of international and bilateral – multilateral and bilateral alliances and US is considered our strongest allies and our most important partner in many areas. I believe that the visit was a thoughtful visit. There are a wide range of issues that are being discussed over there with us on the issue of Afghanistan, on the issue of energy, on the issue of Iran nuclear talks, the Israeli-Palestinian issue. So, we had a very rich and deep conversation about these issues and how to align our countries strategically and that and how can we work closely together on them. A major non-NATO ally designation is a step of status of partnership, which we believe is just a reflection for the partnership that we have, but I think that what we have ahead of us is much deeper than this as well.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Just to be, again maybe scene setting and a little provocative, easier for you to work with the Biden administration than the Trump administration. The Abraham Accords, very close relationships with Saudi Arabia, is this an opportunity, in a way, for Qatar to kind of reset itself and try to make some real progress on priorities that are your priorities in this period of the Biden administration. Is there something different about what you’re trying to get done now?
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, Robin, I think this question has been, like, always there and people who were asking me this, they were always thinking that it’s a provocative a question. It’s not provocative at all because the relationship with the US has been very clear since long time. For us, our relation has been built through the institutions. We have very strong institutional relationship, despite the administration, which are there in the White House, so it has been very clear, very transparent, and very strong for years. And even during President Trump administration we have worked very well with the institutions, and probably a lot of people are referring to the beginning of the GCC crisis and in the positions that have been taken, which has been a misconception and been corrected right away, right after this. And we are working also very closely with the President Biden administration and actually, the events force itself also maybe to have or to picture it in a way that it’s a closer co-ordination. But also, people tend to forget that the deal between the US and Taliban reached during Trump administration, and we were the one in the middle of these negotiations. So, I think the relation with the US has been always in a positive trend and we look forward to expand it. We – our institutional relationship has never been stronger, and we continue to strengthen it and we hope in the years to come it will be more stronger as well.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
I’m just going to take advantages and ask you questions of picking one out from a member here and the question’s phrased quite interestingly, but it’s where I wanted to go next in any case. Mahmood Cushus Fahani asked “whether Qatar is ready to produce more gas in order to reduce the pressures in Europe, given, you know, the threats to Russia – from Russia to European gas supplies?” He adds in here, “Are you ready to produce more gas on behalf of Iran to reduce the pressures in Europe with Russia threatening disruption of gas supply?” Maybe, you know, there’s two sides to that question, so could I ask you maybe if you could say something about the gas, how much room there is for Qatar, from its own supplies, to be able to meet the demand, you’ve got long-term contracts, I believe with many existing customers. Could you just say something about how much flexibility Qatar has and then maybe just touch on this Iranian question that’s connected to it?
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, I think, first of all, just to put it in the right context the energy poverty that Europe is facing right now, it’s not only an outcome of the current event, but has been there even before the escalation started, and unfortunately that, in the last period, there was no strategic thinking of securing and sustaining the supply of energy with the balanced policies that taking care of the environment as well. And now, with the current challenges, of course, Qatar is the largest producer and exporter of energy, along with the US as well, which supply a larger quantity of energy as well. We are not talking about a substituting of a country or another.
I think that what the discussion should be about, how can we approach this issue in collaboration with the countries, with the trading partners to make sure that the gas is delivered to the consumers, and they don’t – and also maintain the affordability of that source of energy. Qatar production, we’ve been producing, and in the past few years, our maximum capacity. There is an expansion, which is hopefully coming in the next couple of years, and we are in continuous discussion with different European countries and different partners in order to also – to make sure that any plans that we will agree on, it will be a long-term plan to ensure the sustainability of that supply.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
So obviously the long-term element being incredibly important, could you just say a word or two as well about China? We’ve had several Middle East speakers come and speak here and some were under the Chatham House Rule, what I’m thinking was, so I’m not going to betray the confidence, but what I took away from that meeting was the sense of countries in the Gulf in particular trying to sort of balance between the rise of China, in particular as a key market for gas and oil, and the value that China can bring. In many cases in investment, in particular in some of the big upscaling of urbanisation and all the smart technologies that come with this, and yet wanting to keep a good relationship with the United States on the security front. I mean, I don’t hear Qatar talked about as much in facing that dilemma. Could you say a word or two about the kind of relationship with China that Qatar has right now?
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, definitely China relationship is an important relationship for Qatar, and they are also one of our largest gas buyer and the relationship with China has been always a good and friendly relationship and we have strong economic partnership together with them. And I don’t think that any of the countries in the Gulf wants to be in choosing between China or America, and we are not in such a position, cannot be like either/or. We have very strong alliance and relationship with the United States, and we want to have a strong relationship also with China.
In Qatar it just happens that we have this trading with them where we supply them with gas and they are supplying us with different materials, and the relationship mainly is an economic relationship, but we are always willing to expand our relationship with different countries in Asia, not necessarily China, but at the end of the day other parts of Asia, and the Asia market is a very important market for us as well.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Are you taking Chinese investment into infrastructure, telecoms infrastructure, for example?
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, there is not much Chinese investment in Qatar in the infrastructure and the telecom. Mainly, I don’t recall any investment from them.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
It’s one of those areas where it seems to be a bit either/or. Look, I wanted to just bring in one of the questions offline here and then I’ll be coming to the room roughly at half-past the hour, but this lets me not ask all the questions myself that I had here. Mark Lyall Grant who’s I think well known to folks here, a member of the Chatham House Panel Senior Advisors, from a National Security Advisor. Mark, I thought you had a very interesting question, would you mind unmuting and asking your question? You are unmuted, over to you.
Mark Lyall Grant
Yes, Your Excellency, good evening and thank you very much for your comments. The question I had was whether you were concerned that today the key deciders of events in the Middle East seem to be non-Arabs, you know, Turkey, Iran, and Israel seem to be actually deciding events in the Middle East region with Russia and China also expanding their influence at a time when the traditional Arab leaders like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria are going through a very difficult period.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
The question to you, yeah.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, thank you, Mark, for this question. Actually, I think that we need – you know, we cannot generalise the key to decision-makers in the Arab world or in the Arab countries and refer them to non-Arab countries only. Those non-Arab countries who are – who you just mentioned, they are actually very close neighbours to the Arab region and we are also understanding that they have their concerns, they have – they need to also to address those concerns. But you have mentioned that there is no Arab leadership in different Arab conflict, which I agree with you and it’s unfortunate that we don’t see an active role for the Arab countries in different conflict areas. But I believe that what we need right now is to have a comprehensive dialogue with those non-Arab neighbours, in order to make sure that whatever their influence on those – in those different crises, actually serving the purpose of the Arab countries and serving to the benefit of the Arab people.
We understand their concerns, but also, we don’t accept the interference in internal affairs of different countries, and also, this is applied to the other Arab countries, I mean, then, interference in internal affairs of countries are not acceptable, as a general principle, by the United Nation. But I think that in the last year there is a better prospect for an Arab understanding and Arab taking things more seriously on different issues in the region. And we have actually some sense of optimism about re-emerging off a new leadership in the Arab world between the leading countries, and there are big countries like Saudi, like Egypt and others of course to lead in those different crises and we are encouraging such a move.
We have a lot of issues around us with Lebanon and Iraq and Syria and Palestine, so all these issues needs the Arab – and Yemen, of course, not to be forgotten, needs an active Arab role, in order to make sure that the Arab’s interests are already – are addressed and already taken into consideration.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Thank you, and I’m just going to bring one more question in from online, then I’m going to turn to the room. And Adel, yes, I can see Adel Hamaizia there. I wanted to bring him in, Adel, in a second, just on your first question, please don’t ask your two questions, just your first question because it’s really to do with the GCC and whether a year, little over a year since the signing of the AlUla Accord, whether there’s going to be some type of, you know, greater leadership from the GCC per se, but maybe you could ask the question, Adel Hamaizia, would you mind just asking your first question, please? Over to you.
Adel Hamaizia
Thank you, Robin, and thank you, Foreign Minister. You can hear me clearly, right? Great, speaking to you from Cape Cod. Thank you so much for being with us, Foreign Minister. The question I had was if you could say a little bit about the state of the GCC as an entity, just over a year on from the AlUla and the sort of cheeky part of the question is whether we’ll have all of the GCC Heads of State, including MBS and MBZ or de facto Heads of State attending the December – the World Cup final when England play Qatar in the cup final?
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, Adel regarding the state of the GCC, we believe that the GCC, especially after the experience that we had in the GCC crisis and how it was paralysed as an organisation for the last few years, unfortunately, has come back to be a more active organisation and we have seen this demonstrated actually in different issues.
One of the issues was Afghanistan and where the GCC have a close co-ordination on that matter, and we work very closely with our colleagues from the front countries. Actually, two days ago we hosted a meeting between Taliban and GCC representative in Doha to talk about the Afghan issue and to create a better understanding on the situation of therefore those countries who are not that much involved on the matter, and we have a united GCC position on that issue. But also, it’s beyond the regional security issues that a lot of our free trade agreement talks is about to be resumed with different countries and different regional groups, and I think there is a positive momentum, and this is what we see by ourselves and by the leadership actually. There is a positive momentum to strengthening the GCC more and to get the benefit directly to the people of the GCC and let them feel it because four years was a missed opportunity that we don’t want it to be repeated, and all the leaders of the GCC are forward looking right now to ensure that we are creating a better future for the GCC. Of course, we are expecting the leaders and the people of the GCC to be at the court to welcome with us our guests in the World Cup.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
We’ll see how that plays out. Look, let me bring some questions in from the room. I see a lot of hands going up, so I’ll make sure I turn to a number of them and make sure we get a good mix of viewpoints and so on. And I’ll start with the lady here and I’ll take Nick off that. So, if you can keep your hand up, please, so, yeah, the microphone. Just take your microphone off, you don’t need to stand up and don’t reach for the mic, it all works. I’ll get to this side of the room in a minute.
Latika Bourke
Sheikh Mohammed, thank you very much, a really interesting talk. My name is Latika Bourke. I’m from The Sydney Morning Herald, an Australian newspaper, and I wanted to ask you about the situation in Qatar a couple of years ago where 13 Australian women were taken off the plane and searched. They are now suing Qatar and some Qatari authorities, asking for compensation and they say that every time they’ve approached the Qatari Government, they are simply met with being ignored. So, what is your message to those women, will you compensate them? And also, what guarantee can you give to other women that it’s safe to travel through your airport?
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, first of all, that event that occurred two years ago with the Australian lady was an unfortunate event and we are all saddened with what happened with them, and the people who were responsible for taking such an action, they’ve been prosecuted by the Qatari courts, and they are – they’ve been penalised for this action. And we are in very close co-ordination and communication with the Australian Government on that front to make sure that, first of all, everyone around the world feels safe when he is traveling through Doha Airport and it’s a single incident that happened and nothing happened after that and reassuring the safety and security of women and men who are travelling through Qatar Airways.
Regarding the legal case that they are pursuing – it’s pursued by the ladies, it has its legal channel, which I cannot comment and unfortunately, but as our part as government we are taking the full responsibility for this action, and we are penalising the people who were responsible for such incident, which was a big mistake and we apologised for the Australian Government and for the victims of that incident. And we have also implemented a comprehensive training agreement – training arrangements for all the personnel’s who are working in the airport to ensure that this is not repeated again.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Thank you. Gentleman in the white shirt first. Sorry, he had his hand up most intensely first. I will get to others. There’s a lot of good questions are going to come from the front, I can see. Go ahead.
Hanif Adil
Hello, as-salamu alaykum, Minister. Hanif Adil, former Advisor, British Parliament, British Government. You’ve touched on this already, mediation. In terms of Israel-Palestine, what specifically could you do more on that issue? And the issue of Kashmir, for example, you’re very good friends with India, Pakistan, could gas play an element in that diplomacy, in that mediation? And on the issue of counterextremism and counterterrorism, do you think you’ve cracked terror financing or counterextremist ideology, ‘cause there’s been a lot of work done by yourselves and Qatar does punch well above its weight, in terms of a country?
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Than
It depends on the scale you are using, what the weights are.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
There were three, I think in that one there and other people are going to lose their questions, but as you’ve got – maybe you could take the Israel-Palestine, there’s somebody else – was somebody else going to ask the question about Israel-Palestine? No, so maybe you could take that question about where Qatar is sitting in that role first, then maybe come to Kashmir after that.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Sure. Well, first of all, as I just mentioned that mediation and diplomacy at the core of our foreign policy and it’s actually been mentioned in our constitution very clearly that it is the beacon for our foreign policy. Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue, we are doing our part, which is mainly helping the Palestinian people, elevating their situation and for years, Qatar has been the frontrunner in helping the Palestinian people, and especially the people in [inaudible – 36:14] of course, on the West Bank. But this is just as we call it, is just a painkiller, it’s not a solution. It’s not a treatment for all the disease.
The treatment for the disease is to have the Israelis coming seriously to the table and to address the issue and to have – to reach the ultimate goal to see a solution, which was endorsed by the Arab country through the Arab Peace Initiative. We have tried our best when there was a prospect for peace back in the 90s after Oslo and there was this moment and we even took a step ahead of everyone in the GCC and we established a relationship with Israel, hoping that this will lead to a peace. But unfortunately, it didn’t lead us to that place.
The alternative for us is to keep helping the Palestinian people and make sure that the other party of the Israeli is willing to come to engage seriously in a genuine peace process. And we have all the international references for these peace processes, so it cannot be reinvented or reimposed by new rules and a new condition. If we are asked to help in this by the parties of the conflict, we will definitely help. We are doing like what we call a mini-mediation and helping and making sure that there is a ceasefire in place. For example in Gaza, brokering a different ceasefire that happened throughout the last years, especially between Raza and the Israelis. So, that what we can provide right now, but I believe that the bigger and the higher level, it needs a collective effort from us, from our other Arab partners and members of the international community. Just if I can comment on the counterterrorism?
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Yeah, sure.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
On the terror financing and counterterrorism, actually, Qatar has took a lot of measures on countering terror financing by new legislations and that then reform. Of course, we are living in a different world. If you will look at the entire world like ten years ago, 15 years ago, no-one was expecting that money goes – which are going to charity work and people are paying it for good intentions, that will fall in the wrong hands and things has evoluted, especially since the Arab Spring in 2011 and we have seen a wider moves of extremist groups. And Qatar has took all these issues very seriously and we have reformed our laws and we have – we are making sure that in our laws and within there also the collaborative system that we have regionally and internationally to make sure that no single riyal or pence or penny going to the wrong hand. And anyone who will commit such an act, he will be held accountable, and he will be prosecuted.
On the counterterrorism issue, it cannot be only addressed by military means and this is unfortunately what different states are looking at is only the security elements, which is an important aspect of this, but we believe that it should be a holistic approach where you address the root causes of extremism. And one of the main thing that we have seen, as a very strong correlation, well, is the education. So, that’s why Qatar’s trying to provide, through its developmental aid and humanitarian aid, very much focused programme on the education. For example, we have committed ourself to educate ten million child in different conflict zones and we have achieved this objective by, I believe, in 2018 and we are continuing that programme. And there are a lot of other programmes to make sure that the new generation are carrying a weapon as a weapon, not carrying their traditional weapons for them to change their status quo.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Thank you. Before you turn to Kashmir, I’ll let you answer the quick question on Kashmir, there’s a question here online from Oded Meyer. Oded, if you didn’t mind me asking the question on your behalf ‘cause it will be quicker. “What is your position currently on Hamas? Just in this context, designated a terrorist organisation by many, most governments. Where do you see their role? Are you adjusting it at all? Is it a source of the problem,” if you see what I’m saying, “to the resolution of the crisis in Israel-Palestine? How do you deal with your counterterrorism and terrorism strategy and at the same time, have the support for Hamas?”
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, we are not supporting Hamas, let us just make it very clear from the beginning. But let me just, you know, to answer your question, I think that, first of all, there is no common definition for terrorism and extreme – or terrorist organisations or terrorist groups, and you see that each country is defining it differently. Most of the Arab countries are not listing Hamas as terrorist organisation because they are living under occupation and the resistance of any occupation is, by the international law, considered a legitimate move. We are against any attacks against the people, against the civilians and we condemn these type of attacks, whether they are Israelis or Palestinian. It doesn’t mean that we agree with their approach or with their attitude, but also, it doesn’t mean that we list them as terrorist organisation because they are part of the component of the Palestinian society.
If we want to reach a peace deal with – between Israel and the Palestinian, this peace should include everyone, all the Palestinians’ factions and organisations. So, I think this question is really – doesn’t have like a very clear, decisive answer, but as the position Qatar never supported an organisation or faction among the Palestinians. Our support has been always very carefully gone to the people who deserve the support and we have done, throughout the years, with very clear and transparent process that’s monitored by the United Nation and by everyone. Of course, we are supporting the Palestinian people, and this is something that we are proud for, those are people who are living under occupation, and we will continue supporting them.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Okay, let’s hold Kashmir for later. Frank and the gentleman there, yeah, those two. I’ll take the two together. I’ll try and come to you as well. Of course, I need to keep an eye on this side of the room. Yeah.
Frank Gardner
Thanks. Frank Gardner, BBC Security Correspondent. Sheikh Mohammed, you probably know the Taliban administration better than any of us here in this room. How confident could you be that if they do get major international funds released, those won’t be diverted in part to terrorism, to their friends in Al-Qaeda, for example?
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well…
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Yeah, go ahead.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
This is a legitimate question that we are always questioning to make sure that even if they will have the access to the fund, the current government, that there is a transparent process that we know that the fund is going to the deserved people. And this question, none of us until now could find an answer and that’s why everything is still on hold, and nothing happened yet. But we are working very closely with our partners in the US and Europe to see what are the best ways to make sure that the people of Afghanistan doesn’t suffer or being punished because the people who are governing them are not liked by the international community. And that’s what we’ve been always insisting on.
It’s very important to keep engaging with Taliban to correct the cause and to make sure that there is an inclusivity in Afghanistan, to make sure that they are running in a government system and they are not running as a militant group. And this is a long journey, it won’t happen in one day, if we will be realistic. We need to make sure that we keep engaging with them, we keep encouraging, we keep urging them on those three forms, we keep urging them not reversing any of the things that Afghanistan has achieved in the past 20 years. And urging them to engage in a genuine reconciliation process, which in fact we were pushing for, for the last year and a half, before the fall of Kabul, but unfortunately it couldn’t work because of a lot of different reasons.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Can I just do a follow-up question on this topic? Andrew Mills is a member. Andrew, I can see you, we’ve got you ready to go. You’re unmuted, could you ask your question ‘cause it’s connected to Afghanistan? Over to you.
Andrew Mills
Sheikh Mohammed, what role is Qatar playing to recapitalise the Afghanistan economy, and if Qatar is not yet playing a role, what role could it play?
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
We had David Miliband in the other day, literally sitting where you’re sitting, a couple of days ago arguing very strongly for – you know, there is money there, but there needs to be money in.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, I think one of the major challenges that the Afghans are facing right now that the financial system over there is paralysed. And because of the sanctions, because of the security situation over there, there are not much banks are operating. There are, I think, just a couple of banks who are working over there. But this is just one piece, from our perspective, and we believe that the international community – just also to answer your part of the question about Qatar role. Qatar cannot go in Afghanistan and regenerate or recapitalise their economy and just bringing back the systems to be on by its own. So, it needs a collective effort by the international community, by our international partners and this is something that we are in very close consultation with different partners, in order to provide a blueprint for the way forward in Afghanistan, addressing the issues. The economic issues, addressing the humanitarian issue, the immigration issue, and the counterterrorism issue, which is a significant issue and significant concern for all of us, especially for us who are living in a closer region. So, this cannot happen by a unilateral effort from Qatar, so we are working very closely with different European partners.
We are trying to build up their consensus for this blueprint together with them. Until this is ready, I think that the situation over there will remain as it is, and the humanitarian agencies will still be facing the difficulties of not being able to pay their employees or to have a financial cycle over there that can facilitate their business.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Thank you. You’ve been very patient, the gentleman there, first then we’ll come to the two here, yeah. It’s coming. It’s coming. Okay, go ahead.
Member
Just wanted to ask about another conflict in the region that you mentioned Qatar’s mediating role, but Syria is one that obviously has been somewhat stuck, the frontlines in Syria have now been frozen for several years, even though the regime is now assumingly intensifying its bombardment of Idlib in the North. Do you see any potential? Some of the Arab states, some of your neighbours have actually begun normalising with Syria for some sort of political process there, as difficult as it is with the regime, with the record that it has.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, we made our position on the normalisation issue very clear. We said that there are causes that we boycotted, and we sever ties with the regime over there, and the Arab countries suspended the membership of the regime in the Arab League for. And these causes are still there, it didn’t change anything. He’s still bombing his people, he’s still displacing his own people, he’s still holding his people as hostages. So, anything to give him a free pass to give the current – the Syrian regime a free pass to come back to their seat in the Arab League, Qatar position has been very clear on that. We believe that it will be a big mistake.
What we are saying that if there will be a steps toward normalisation with Syria, it should be associated with a political process, and the special envoy of the United Nation has proposed a step-for-step approach and some of the Arab countries are proposing a similar approach. We understand some of the Arab countries taking some normalising steps with Syria because of probably proximity to them, they’ve been directly impacted with them, with what’s happening over there. But we believe that the best way forward is to have a clear roadmap for them to be able to normalise with them and to bring them back to the Arab League, and this path forward should be political and humanitarian associated together. We cannot mix also both or providing a humanitarian step and expecting in exchange a political step from our side.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
And we’ve got another ten minutes or so to go so first, lady there in the second row and the gentleman in the front row, we’ll take those two together. See how we’re doing on time, I’m going to do a couple online afterwards. No, the lady first behind, yeah.
Dr Yildiz Tugba Kara
Good evening. My name’s Dr Yildiz Tugba Kara from Society 5.0 Institute, a London based social enterprise, working on smart society pulses. I’m very much interested in Qatar’s smart – smart Qatar programme. And my question to his Excellency is about the social return on investment of these huge investments on digital revolution of Qatar, including smart cities and its complementary with Qatar’s regional and international role. Thank you.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
So, smart cities and so on, just keep that thought, and gentleman in the front row.
Member
[Inaudible – 51:58] and I do it in English, okay? What is the possibility getting the gas pipe through Iraq to Europe to get the pressure off of the Russian down there? And what’s the possibility of Qatar investment in Basrah to do with the Iraqi guys and in Ambur and why not Qatar investing in the [inaudible – 52:31] in the South of Iraq? We are your brother and cousins. So, remember that, thank you.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Take that question first and then maybe the one about social enterprise.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, first, regarding the question about the gas pipeline from Iraq to Europe, this is really falls under the Iraqi and Turkish and all those countries jurisdiction, not in our jurisdiction. Qatar, as an energy supplier, we are supplying most of the countries around us. In Iraq, probably there were some discussion, but for us we are energy suppliers, so the pipeline doesn’t matter us as much as the receiving [inaudible – 53:20]. But on the investment side and in Iraq, Qatar has been in a very close relation and understand the importance of Iraq as our neighbour and as part of our close region, and the Iraqi people are very close to our hearts as well.
Unfortunately, in the last few years, we’re given the security situation over there maybe that what delayed us in coming in there. But we had a very advanced conversation with a couple of previous governments, in order to come in and to seek for investment opportunity that can help in elevating the situation in Iraq, whether in Basrah and Ambur and then to Iraq, we are very much open port. And I think that there is also a strong will that we felt from different GCC countries to come in Iraq and to invest over there to support the Iraqi people and to bring also more connections economically between Iraq and different GCC countries.
Regarding your question about the smart cities, Qatar actually has been developing our digitalisation over the country now for almost a decade and building smart systems in the entire city, especially in the preparation for the World Cup and we have seen that this world is evolving quite rapid and fast, and we are trying to keep up with it. But it has of course a greater impact on the society and the social life, but also, I think that one of the greatest demonstration for the importance of digitalisation, what happened with the pandemic and the way we dealt with the pandemic, and I think it’s proven that it’s now not becoming a luxury, but it’s a necessity for all the countries to do so.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
There’s a related question to that one here from Trisha de Borchgrave about the shift to renewables that’s taking place around the world, and we spent a lot of time discussing that here at Chatham House. You’re in such a strong position as the supplier of gas, but is the shift to renewables potentially going to diminish Qatar’s position globally over time? Are you worried about it? How are you adjusting it? Are you investing in that space heavily, alongside the smart cities that are being described here, in the shift to digitalisation? Will you be clean at home, but selling gas abroad? How are you thinking about all of this?
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
The gas is clean.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
[Laughs].
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Cleaner energy.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
I think, yeah, my colleagues at Chatham House will – folks in this room will certainly discuss that issue.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, you want me to answer this? Yeah, first regarding the shift to renewable, I think this is – or what we see, from our perspective, this is a journey that everyone should take, including Qatar, including the producers of the fossil fuel. But also, we need to look at it as a combined effort, that it’s a journey that a lot of countries now started to realise that taking environmental policies in consideration is important, but also leading to a realistic transition plan. And this is where the gas and the LNG playing a major role and Qatar has been very much looking, you know, at our environmental policy. We are deeply concerned if anything will impact us.
We are a desert and anything that might happen, it will affect us, so we are looking at this method seriously, but also, we see that it should be a realistic and a balanced approach that you will still need a provider of gas in the time of this transition and Qatar remains as a reliable source of energy. We are trying to make the world cleaner and safer and this is what LNG has the most. Qatar has a leading role in carbon culturing and methane reduction. In renewable as well, we are going to launch our first solar farm to produce part of the energy of Qatar and we are continuing also that journey, in order to make sure that renewable is playing significant role in our generation in Qatar, and we believe that the LNG will play a significant role in this transition.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Thank you. I’m going to take a question from online from Marcia Poole, which I think is connected again to these big, thematic issues, and I’m going to bring in the gentleman who has been waiting very patiently. Yeah, the two here in the front row that I said I’d call, Nick, at the beginning. So, if you just hold for a second. Marcia, could you unmute, please, and go first.
Marcia Poole
Thank you, Robin, and thank you Excellency for this presentation. Excellency, I want to bring the discussion towards the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made the need for a redesign, a rethink of the global health security architecture, one of the pressing issues in international relations. What role do you envisage Qatar playing in these discussions? And, for example, the negotiations for a new international instrument on pandemic preparedness.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Could you just hold these thoughts ‘cause we’re close to the end of time, and we’ve got a lot of questions here, so I’m going to try and do a little round-up at the end, and I’ll keep track of them as well, please. So, first the gentleman there and then, Nick, yeah. Just – microphone’s coming, we’ve got two in the second row here. I don’t care which order really. Nick, you go first.
Nick Westcott
Nick Westcott, formally of the EU and now at SOAS. How do you see the situation in Iran at present and do you see them wanting to seriously engage with the rest of the world, the JCPOA? And does Qatar have a role to play in the conflict in Yemen?
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Right, good, you’ve got Yemen as well. Sorry, Nicholas McLain, I won’t go to you live in that case because he had the question as well. Gentleman waiting here.
Salman Shaikh
Hello, good afternoon, Sheikh Mohammed. Salman Shaikh, Founder of The Shaikh Group, formally Director of the Brookings Doha Centre. There’s a lot of discussion about Russia challenging the security architecture in Europe, but what about the Middle East and the Gulf? Of course, it’s established a bridgehead in Syria, but is also in North Africa and its ideas on the Gulf. I ask you this, as somebody who is heading to Moscow over the weekend.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
And while you think about that, as I skipped out a question online, gentleman with the mask, hand up, towards the back. I’m sorry, I’ve got too many questions. Yes, please.
Member
Yeah, I’m asking about the GCC crisis, and we’ve seen recently events where leaders dispute of their disputed countries met with the friendly handshakes. Apparently, relations on their way to normalisation. How do you evaluate the current Qatar relations with its neighbours, mainly and namely Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and what is hindering Bahrain from being on the same reconciliation track?
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Okay, we had a bit on that earlier, but maybe you can come back to it, but we’re in your hands on time. I think folks here would love to hear the answers and will stay, but you may need to get to your next thing, so I’ll let you manage how you handle those last four questions.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, just, you know, to go very quickly through the issues regarding the question about the international response to health crisis. Qatar has been playing a role with different partners within the United Nation and in order to make sure that response to pandemic that the international co-operation and co-operation between different nations always remain at the centre of our priority. Because unfortunately we have seen some events that occurred at the beginning of the COVID crisis, including piracies to some of the items of cutting supplies and boycotting the supplies to different countries. And we want to ensure that all the countries they have the same, equal access to different supplies and also, equal access and rights for – to be vaccinated and to be treated. So, there are a lot of thoughts and initiatives that are taking place in the World Health Organization and in the United Nation and Qatar is trying to play its role.
In our participation during the COVID crisis we have – our assistance reached out to more than 50 countries, I believe until now, with – either with aid and equipment that they need to respond to the COVID or with the vaccination. And also, we have contributed to the Gavi – to Gavi initiative for different countries.
Regarding your question on Iran and the Iran position, I think that, first of all, Qatar is with the diplomatic solution and to have an agreement in Daesh as soon as possible, because we believe that the absence of the JCPOA right now is counterproductive for anyone in our region, and it’s going to be much worse if we are going to remain without an agreement.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Do you think there’s any prospect, I mean, given the request from the Iranian side to have a sort of congressional pledge, which is never going to happen?
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Well, what we see right now, there is a better atmosphere, let me put it this way. And hopefully some positive responses from here and there and we are in close contacts with Iran, with the US, with the other parties of the JCPOA, trying to understand how can we help in bridging the gap? Because the agreement and the negotiations is happening between countries who are thousands miles away from Iran and Iran and us, we are living just next door to Ira. So, it’s in our interests to have an agreement in place. It’s in our interests to reach an understanding with Iran and to have then also a regional understanding with Iran, between the GCC and Iran. So, we encourage all the parties to act constructively and positively with those initiatives and we hope that we can have a positive outcome in the near future. But at the end of the day, those are the parties, and our role is really to help, to facilitate, to encourage both to engage positively.
On Yemen, our position has been very clear. We are against any aggression against any country and the war in Yemen unfortunately is continuing for a long time, and we believe that the only solution is going back to the Security Council resolution, the basis that all of us we have worked on and endorsed 2216 and bring the Yemeni people together and stop the war as soon as possible. We have seen some initiatives that have been taken that been led by the Saudis to declare a ceasefire, but unfortunately, these initiatives wasn’t – was turned down by the other parties. And we are also watching a concerning escalation that’s happening right now with the UAE with Saudi and continuous targeting, which is, of course, unacceptable for us as a Gulf country. And also, it’s unacceptable for us to see any civilian target, anywhere to be bombed and to be targeted in this war. The Yemen situation will remain very difficult and very challenging and very complex, but it’s only of the hand of the Yemenis, it’s not at the hand of the others.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Russia was the last question and from…
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Yeah, on Russia posing a threat to the Middle East, we don’t see it, from our perspective, as a – our relation with Russia is a friendly relationship. We have a very good relationship, partnership with them on different issues, and in many issues that we see, especially when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Russia has taken – played a positive role on that front.
Other issues we disagree with them, of course, like, for example, in Syria, but at the end of the day, the only way to reach an understanding is continuing the dialogue and this is what we carry. As I just mentioned about China, it cannot be either/or for us. As Gulf countries, we want to have relationship with everybody, strong and good and positive and thoughtful for the benefit of our people and for the benefit of the stability of our region.
Just, you know, the last question on the state of the relationship between the Gulf countries, actually, as I mentioned AlUla declaration that has been signed by the leaders has been all forward looking for a better future for the GCC. We want to build a stronger GCC and stronger foundation for that. There is a good progress in relation with different countries with the different parties of the crisis vary from country to another. But I think we are in a very good state right now compared to last year, and we are – our leadership is committed to have – to be forward looking, as well as the leadership of the other countries.
Bahrain issue is falling behind. It’s just, let’s say, maybe we didn’t agree on the mechanism yet, how to sort it out. But the issues will be resolved among the GCC countries and I think it’s not a big deal right now, but the state of the relation with Saudi has been progressing in a very good direction with the UAE, as well has been progressing even before the leaders’ meeting and, of course, our leaders always inspiring us to do more for our people.
Dr Robin Niblett CMG
Look, I think there is many, many more questions, many online, I think I didn’t get to about 12 on there, I know there’s equal number in the room. I apologise to folks who had their hands up for a while, but I tried to get to the people that had their hands up first as much as I could. Thank you, Sheikh Mohammed, for taking on a lot. Obviously, you are in the middle of many of these negotiations personally on behalf of Qatar and we appreciate you bringing us that kind of feel for what’s moving and what is a little stuck. I mean, I heard your words on Yemen and it doesn’t leave me full of optimism obviously, but we listen very carefully to your words. We know that on a public setting like this you have to be careful, but I thought you gave our members both online, thank you for joining us and those in the room, thank you for coming through the rain, a very good feel for the region and for some of the global challenges, and Qatar does sit in this very interesting position in-between all of them. So, please a very strong hand for Sheikh Mohammed [applause]. Please just stay in your seats.
