Qatar moving towards democracy, says FM
Gulf times-Doha
Sunday, 27 November, 2005,
Staff Reporter
PREPARATIONS are under way to hold the first parliamentary
elections in Qatar, in accordance with the new Constitution
approved in a referendum two years ago, the First Deputy
Premier and the Foreign Minister, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim
bin Jabor al-Thani, said yesterday.
“Qatar has made great strides towards democratisation and
public participation in decision making,” he told delegates
to the ‘Nato and the Broader Middle East, The Role of
Parliamentarians Conference’ which opened at the Four
Seasons Hotel in Doha yesterday.
The foreign minister said the move towards democracy was
Qatar’s own decision taken by HH the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin
Khalifa al-Thani, “years before the September 11 attacks.”
“We are working hard to complete the building of a modern
state based on the rights and duties of the citizens in a
society of development,” the first deputy premier said.
Talking about the Qatari Constitution, he said that it
organised the relationship between the leadership and the
citizens based on the principles of accountability and
transparency in ruling and administration.
The foreign minister said that Qatar’s Constitution took
into account the country’s society and historical
background. “Therefore, any dialogue with other
parliamentarians will be useful to recognise that special
experience and the ways to overcome the difficulties.”
HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said such exercises would enable
both sides to achieve the interests of all parties, that
include stability, peace and development.
The Advisory Council Speaker, HE Mohamed bin Mubarak
al-Kholeifi, said that peace would not be achieved unless
people got their freedom in a democratic way and the
government followed transparency in governance and respected
the freedom of both genders.
He said that security arrangement between the GCC countries
and the world’s superpower was vital to maintain stability
and security in the region.
“Our common goal now is to protect the international
community from terrorism, weapons of mass destruction,
nuclear intimidation and regional disputes,” the Advisory
Council Speaker said.
He said that Qatar welcomed dialogue and exchange of views,
saying that stability and security in the world constitute a
noble goal.
“Qatar has gained international appreciation for adopting
the principles of law and justice,” he added. |