The ambassador of Qatar to Belgium and Permanent Representative to the European Union and the Nato, Abdulrahman bin Mohammed al-Khulaifi, has underlined that the fight against terrorism is a high priority for Qatar, which has issued a strict set of laws to prohibit the financing of terrorism, in addition to signing several international conventions and memoranda of understanding on combating terrorism, most recently the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States.
Addressing a seminar organised by the European People’s Party (EPP) at the European Parliament in Brussels, on the occasion of the publication of the Global Terrorism Index 2017 report, the ambassador said that the whole world has become aware of the falsity and lies of some neighbouring countries which are based on personal interests to distort the image of Qatar through fabricated accusations of supporting terrorism.
The ambassador underlined that the current differences between Qatar and its neighbours cannot be solved through the siege or warnings, but through dialogue and rational debate, noting that Qatar is ready and open to both.
Ambassador al-Khulaifi added that Qatar will continue its positive and effective foreign policy and to fulfil its humanitarian and international commitments at the same time.
The ambassador warned against the scourge of terrorism and extremism that has swept the world and caused the deaths of thousands of innocent lives, motivated by distorted
religious ideas and beliefs.
He noted that the Global Terrorism Index report shows that terrorism has become a worldwide pandemic, which required to look for the best ways to reduce it and to address the causes that lead to it.
He said that terrorism and extremism are rooted in poverty, ignorance, unemployment and marginalisation, affirming that education is the cornerstone of counter-terrorism efforts.
Believing in the importance of education, Qatar is investing 12% of its total government spending in the education sector, in addition to allocating 25% of its foreign aid to educational projects for 7mn children in 42 countries. Qatar has spent more than $100mn on education in Syria within the framework “QUEST” initiative for the education of the displaced.
The seminar was attended by members of the European Parliament, senior officials of European and international counterterrorism institutions and Nato, as well as local and international media. (QNA)
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