Al-Attiyah: Qatari-Emirati relations are strategic

HE the Foreign Minister Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah said that the relations between the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are strategic on both states and peoples levels.He affirmed, in an interview with Qatar Television that the security of the UAE is part of Qatar’s Security, stressing that the only source for Qatar’s foreign policy is the official channels of the state.On the Qatari-Emirati relations, HE the Minister said “I would like to congratulate the Emirati people on the recovery of the UAE president HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. I wish for him health and wellness and for the Emirati people further progress and prosperity.”In the same context he described the security of the GCC countries as interconnected and integral, explaining that the security of UAE is part of Qatar’s Security and vice versa. The relation between the State of Qatar and the UAE is strategic on both states and peoples levels, he said.Speaking about the foreign policy of Qatar, HE the Foreign Minister said the sole source for Qatar’s foreign policy is its official channels and is not through media or certain platforms here and there, asserting that what was attributed to Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi does not reflect the policy of the State of Qatar. “We have full respect to our brothers in the United Arab Emirates, and as I said our relationships are strategic and the security of the United Arab Emirates is part of our security,” he said.Regarding reports attacking Qatar, he said “in the previous period we have noticed that Qatar came under an unjustified attacks with regard to the issue of laborers”, adding “what I can say is that Qatar is progressing day after day and we are serious about improving the standard of living, both for our citizens and for expatriate workers, who helped in the building and prosperity of Qatar”.He continued “I cannot give any more details, adding that Qatar when this unjustified attack, from my point of view, initiated appropriate measures, including the appointment of a global consultancy bureau to explore and review all procedures, laws and the steps taken in Qatar to protect workers, and I cannot say anything about this report until it is released by the entrusted body”.HE the Minister said that Munich Conference is of one of the most important forums where ideas are exchanged, especially in the political and security issues, in light of current conditions in the Middle East. “Over the last four years Qatar has been taking the opportunity to meet with friends and allies in an attempt to put forward ideas for solutions which help in solving some of the crises facing the Middle East region,” he said.The outcomes of the Munich Conference are not official, however the gathering of a big number of current and former officials and experts in the field of politics and security is a great opportunity for brainstorming and developing creative ideas for resolving the crises in the region, said HE the Minister.Pointing to the Tunisian and Yemeni models he said “we, in the State of Qatar, have always been seeking peaceful and political solutions. I want to salute our brothers in Tunisia for what they have achieved in terms of conducting serious and genuine dialogue which lead to the ratification of the Constitution and the formation of the government”. ” I would also like to congratulate our brothers in Yemen for successfully concluding the national dialogue with positive results. We hope that this success continues in the next phase.