Qatar-Nato pact a slap in the face for siege countries

The strategic partnership between Qatar and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) is a new blow to the siege countries’ efforts to tarnish the image of Qatar. The Saudi-led quartet, which imposed an unjust air, sea and land blockade on Qatar on June 5, 2017, has resorted to false allegations of terrorism and fabricated charges to diminish Qatar’s standing in the international community. The partnership with Nato, which follows the strategic dialogue with the United States last month, is a global recognition that Qatar is a strategic partner in the fight against terrorism and in the consolidation of security and peace in the Middle East.The agreement on co-operation in military and security issues between the government of Qatar, represented by the Qatari armed forces, and Nato, which was signed on Wednesday at the Nato headquarters in Brussels, during the visit of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, is reflective of the close co-ordination and co-operation between Qatar and Nato.This agreement seeks to establish a bilateral military strategy to consolidate security and peace in the region and strengthen the efforts of Qatar and the Nato in confronting the security challenges in the world.  The accord is an affirmation of the success of the Qatari diplomacy, which has gained the confidence of the world, as well as an affirmation of the confidence of Nato and the European Union in Qatar and its efforts in facing the current challenges, including the fight against terrorism in the region and globally.The pact also aims to strengthen the relations between Qatar and Nato, especially in military and security matters, in order to face the current political developments.The Emir’s visit to Belgium and the results of his talks with senior officials of the Belgian government, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and the President of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, underscores the strength of Qatari-European relations and the success of Qatari diplomacy in creating broad strategic partnerships with various countries and institutions.The fact that the Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked the Emir for the role of Qatar and its efforts in the fight against terrorism and its co-operation with Nato in this area, especially through Al Udeid Air Base, is recognition of Doha’s efforts in the fight against terrorism.Qatar plays an important role, regionally and globally, which is in line with the choices of the international community and the global powers and groups, that influence world politics, by promoting peace and security, fighting terrorism and participating actively in the development of policies that prevent extremism and prevent the eruption of armed conflicts. If the three previous foreign tours of the Emir, after the unjust siege on Qatar was imposed, which included countries in Europe, Asia and Africa, gave additional impetus to Qatar’s international relations, the current tours to Belgium and Bulgaria will strengthen relations with the European Union at all levels.The Emir’s tours would enhance Qatar’s standing in the international community through strategic partnerships with the world’s decision makers.