'Amir's tour in Central Asia opens new partnerships'

HE the Chairman of the Internal and External Affairs Committee of the Shura Council Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri underlined the importance of the tour (beginning Monday) of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Central Asia, which includes Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.
HE Dr al-Marri said in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that this tour would strengthen bilateral relations between Qatar and the Central Asian countries included in the tour in a manner that achieves common interests and opens up broad, future prospects for more partnerships in various fields.
He pointed out that the majority of these countries are inhabited by a Muslim majority ranging from 80 to 90% of the population, except for Kazakhstan, where Muslims are 46%-56% of the population. He added that Qatar has close diplomatic relations with these countries, which will open more opportunities for future co-operation in the interests of all.
HE Dr al-Marri continued saying that thanks to the wise directives of His Highness the Amir, Qatar enjoys strong relations with the outside world, based on mutual respect and maintaining international peace and security. These principles were established by the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar, which stipulates the strengthening of relations with the outside world, especially with regard to the consolidation of international peace and security, he said.
He stressed that the achievements and successes made by Qatar are remarkable despite all the difficulties and challenges, highlighting the hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, under the wise directives of the Amir. He noted the great role played by Qatar during the evacuation process in Afghanistan, stressing that all of this is based on the principles and policies of Qatar and the values of its people.
He said that due to these achievements, Qatar and His Highness the Amir have become the central to communications for world leaders and a destination for everyone looking for peace and stability, adding that the latest thing that the Amir did in Gaza and occupied Palestine was stopping the Israeli aggression and bloodshed.
On the role of the Shura Council in supporting and strengthening Qatar's bilateral relations with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, HE Dr al-Marri explained that the role of the Council is complementary to the grand strategy set by the Amir, as well as the Qatar National Vision 2030, which emphasises having strong relations with peace-loving countries.
He said that the Shura Council has relations and friendship groups with parliaments of the aforementioned Asian countries, in addition to the mutual visits between the Council and these parliaments. This is in addition to the meetings held between the heads of the relevant friendship committees to develop relations in the future.
He explained that the importance of co-operation between the Shura Council and the parliaments of the countries included in the tour lies in that it is complementary to what His Highness the Amir is doing in this regard, adding that the visit of the Amir to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan represent great support for the Shura Council and for all other sectors of the State.
When the Amir visits a country, there will be consensus among the leaders, and this will facilitate the task for everyone after that, he explained. HE Dr al-Marri stated that the Central Asian countries included in the tour of the Amir are rich in many resources and raw materials, including uranium, natural gas, minerals and other sources.
HE the chairman of the committee also spoke about the role of parliaments and Shura Councils in promoting popular and parliamentary diplomacy. He explained that the role of parliaments and Shura Councils is characterised by a wide range of movement since it is broader in scope than the formal sphere and at the same time, it complements and strengthen the political will of states.