Arab, global media highlight Amir's opening speech to the Shura Council

The comprehensive speech given by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the opening of the first ordinary session of the first legislative term of the Shura Council gained the attention of Arab and global media. Media outlets highlighted in their reports the importance of the Amir's speech and the issues it contained and described the first elected Shura Council in a country as a qualitative step on the path to consolidating democratic and constitutional institutions in the country.Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) highlighted the Amir's emphasis on the importance of the current stage in the country with the completion of the institutions stipulated in the constitution through the establishment of the elected legislative authority for the first time in Qatar's history, along with the executive and judicial authorities. It reported that in his speech, the Amir praised the role that Shura Council will play through its multiple legislative tasks and the consolidation of co-operation with the Cabinet to achieve the higher interests of the country.The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the Shura Council held its first ordinary session of the first legislative term, corresponding to the 50th annual session, headed by HE Abdul Rahman Yousuf Abdul Rahman al-Khulaifi. SPA said that the Amir stressed in his speech the importance of the current stage in the country with the completion of the institutions stipulated in the constitution through the establishment of the elected legislative authority for the first time in Qatar's history, along with the executive and judicial authorities.For its part, Jordan News Agency (Petra) indicated that the Amir inaugurated the first ordinary session of the first elected Shura Council in the country's history on Tuesday. Petra quoted His Highness on the importance of this historical moment with the completion of the institutions stipulated in the constitution through the establishment of the elected legislative authority, along with the executive and judicial authorities, and expressed confidence in the elected members and their awareness of the great national responsibility placed on their shoulders when they perform their legislative duties.In the context of the Arab and international media's acknowledgment of the Amir speech, the London-based 'Al-Quds Al-Arabi' newspaper issued an article under the title 'Shura Council in Qatar: New Step Towards Future', in which it commended the speech. Under the title 'Amir of Qatar Directs to Amend Citizenship Laws', London-based 'Asharq Al-Awsat' newspaper highlighted the speech. The Amir addressed the negative aspects of tribal bigotry in the country, saying that tribalism endangers national unity, the paper said, adding His Highness referred to Qatar's belief in brotherhood, history and geography, as he stressed the importance of preserving the Gulf Co-operation Council, improving its institutions, leaving behind differences through dialogue and consolidating and developing the consensus achieved at Al-Ula summit.The French News Agency (AFP) pointed out the assertion of the Amir during his speech on the openness and tolerance of the hospitable Qatari people that will be received next year when Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup. The German News Agency (DPA) reported the news of the opening by the Amir of the first ordinary session of the first legislative term, corresponding to the Shura Council's 50th annual session, highlighting the speech of the Amir in which His Highness said: "We are all aware of the significance of this historic moment in which we witness the completion of the institutions stipulated in the constitution by establishing the elected legislative authority along with the executive and judicial authorities."The American Alhurra Channel highlighted on its website the speech of the Amir, in which His Highness said: "Out of our keenness to promote equal Qatari citizenship and translate it into practice as a direct relationship between the citizen and the state based on rights and duties, I have instructed the Council of Ministers to prepare the appropriate legal amendments to ensure the achievement of this goal." Reuters News Agency said that the Amir stressed, "We are proceeding in our efforts to achieve the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and prepare for the third 5-year national strategy." Reuters added that in regard to the GCC, the Amir said: "Brotherhood, history and geography make it incumbent to preserve the Gulf Co-operation Council," stressing His Highness' keenness to leave behind differences through dialogue and seek to consolidate and develop the consensus achieved at Al-Ula summit.