Qatar working on enhancing Asian ties: Ambassador of Qatar to Kazakhstan

Astana: Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Kazakhstan HE Abdullah bin Hussein Al Jaber emphasized Qatar s commitment to strengthening...

Astana: Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Kazakhstan HE Abdullah bin Hussein Al Jaber emphasized Qatar's commitment to strengthening its relations with Asia, particularly through successful cooperation with influential organizations in Asia, and noted that Qatar was among the first Arab countries to obtain the status of "Dialogue Partner" in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency added that Qatar also enhanced its position in the region through successful cooperation with the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue. He mentioned that in September 2022, Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding to join the SCO as a Dialogue Partner during the organization's summit in Uzbekistan. 

His Excellency noted that this status is a preliminary step before granting full membership, requiring the respecting of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states and the recognition of the organization's objectives and principles.

HE the Ambassador said that, as a Dialogue Partner, Qatar has the right to attend open meetings of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the SCO member states and meetings of the heads of government of the member states. However, it does not have the right to participate in preparing and signing the organization's approved documents.

HE the Ambassador also said that Qatar was just getting started with the process of gaining full membership in the organization, noting that the latter shares values with Qatar like maintaining peace, stability, and security in the region. His Excellency also said that one of the SCO's main aims is to build mutual trust, friendship, good neighborliness, and multifaceted cooperation to maintain and strengthen regional peace, security, and stability, address emerging challenges and threats collectively, and promote effective cooperation in various fields, in addition to enhancing economic growth as well as social and cultural development.