Emir urges ‘serious will for
reform’ in the region Published
THE countdown to the birth of a
democratic era has already begun
but it needs thinkers and
experts to continue and promote
the process, HH the Emir Sheikh
Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani said
yesterday.
HH the Emir was
addressing the fifth Doha Forum
on Democracy and Free Trade at
Ritz-Carlton.
The opening ceremony was also
attended by HE the First Deputy
Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister, speaker of the
Advisory Council, Arab League
Secretary-General Amr Moussa,
sheikhs, ministers, former crown
prince of Jordan Prince Talal,
ambassadors and senior state
officials.
HH the Emir recalled that a year
ago he had indicated that the
slow pace of democratisation was
not due to the frustration on
account of the Palestinian
problem. Now, the Palestinians
themselves are resorting to
democratic methods.
It proved that “the quest for
reform and peace in the region
can go side by side without
contradiction or clash”, HH the
Emir said.
The move towards democracy and
free economy could never be
achieved unless it is matched by
a “serious will for reform that
is aware of its importance and
is not content with introducing
partial amendments to avert
criticism”.
“Such process should meet the
requirements of political and
economic progress by accepting
different opinions and adopt a
constitutional framework that
reflects the popular will and
recognise the right to
participation through suitable
regulatory framework”.
While transition to democracy
and the market economy has
gained some momentum in the
region, it has not achieved the
desired pace because the
political progress and economic
liberation are hindered by
problems.
During the past years, Qatar
faced some of these challenges
and was confronted with
problems. The country tried to
overcome these problems “so that
the reform experience in our
country could reach its desired
end”.
While the economic march is
continuing, the country’s legal
system is watchful against any
transgressions that are in
conflict with the country’s
traditions, or other violations.
“It is not permissible at any
time, nor at this time when our
economy is heading to prove its
capability, regionally as well
as internationally, to turn a
blind eye to any deviations or
violations resulting from
ignorance or committed
unintentionally or on any other
pretext”.
HH the Emir noted that the
country was trying to build an
integrated culture for change by
improving the educational
institutions and finalising the
basic legislation.
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