Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, December 29 (QNA) - In their Thursday editorials, Qatari newspapers affirmed the State of Qatar's firm commitment to supporting the Palestinian refugees, in line with the great importance it attaches to the Palestinian cause within its foreign policy. The recent Qatari emergency contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) sends a message that the State of Qatar will not abandon the Palestinian people and their just cause, the papers noted. In this context, Al-Raya newspaper said in its editorial that the Palestinian cause always remains at the core of Qatari foreign policy. Doha has adopted the plight of the Palestinian people and affirmed its uncompromising support for the just cause of the Palestinians in establishing their independent state within the borders of June 4, 1967, with eastern Jerusalem as its capital, and the return of refugees whose conditions are always monitored and come to their aid. The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) signed an emergency contribution agreement to support the regular resources of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which will help respond to the Palestine refugees’ chronic needs and support the efforts of UNRWA since it has been undergoing chronic underfunding, the paper indicated. It is not the first time that Qatar has rushed to respond to the appeal for relief for the Palestinians launched by UNRWA. Qatar has always been a main supporter of the agency's activities in serving the Palestinian refugees who suffer from tragic conditions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the host countries. UNRWA aid is the main support for the Palestinian steadfastness in the face of circumstances and historical injustice that befell them, the paper said. Qatar's generous donation, which came at a time of dire, represents a clear message to the Palestinian people that Qatar will not abandon them, and that the Palestinian cause is Qatar's first cause, the paper stressed. Every day, Qatar demonstrates its firm commitment to preserving the steadfastness of the Palestinian refugees and supporting the just cause of Palestine through effective actions on the ground, which affect the Palestinian people, the paper pointed out. Al-Raya concluded by saying that the State of Qatar has proven in many situations that it is an indispensable lifeline for UNRWA. The emergency contribution agreement will urgently strengthen the agency's efforts to provide services to refugees, especially since the Qatari contribution came amid a severe and unprecedented financial crisis, where UNRWA has been undergoing chronic underfunding. In its turn, Al-Sharq newspaper stressed in its Thursday editorial the attention that the State of Qatar attaches to the Palestinian cause, comes from it being a top priority in the State of Qatar's foreign policy, as it is a central issue of the Arab and Islamic nations. In this context, the newspaper said that the State of Qatar spares no effort in providing all forms of political, economic, and humanitarian support to the Palestinian people, within the framework of Qatar's firm stance towards the Palestinian people and their just cause. The newspaper highlighted the State of Qatar's keenness to contribute effectively to providing various types of support to the Palestinian people and UNRWA, one of the largest, oldest, and most important United Nations agencies. In this regard, the paper referred to the emergency contribution agreement signed by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) to support the regular resources of the UNRWA, which will help respond to the Palestine refugees’ chronic needs and support the efforts of UNRWA at a time where the agency is going through severe underfunding. This agreement came as a response to an urgent appeal launched by UNRWA to support the urgent need to increase funding. The State of Qatar increased its donations to the agency to support its basic resources in line with its firm policy of solidarity with the brotherly Palestinian people and providing them with all forms of support, Al-Sharq said. The newspaper pointed out the important role of UNRWA, as it is one of the most important agencies of the United Nations. Millions of Palestinian refugees depend on UNRWA to obtain their basic needs, which requires international partners to fulfill their responsibilities and do what is necessary to meet the needs of the agency to enable it to perform its role to meet humanitarian and health needs, increase education and contribute to improving the lives of many disadvantaged communities in Palestine. Al-Sharq concluded by saying that the message of support and solidarity shown by the Qatar World Cup 2022 with the Palestinian people confirms that Qatar will always remain at the forefront of supporting the Palestinians. Qatari daily Al-Watan highlighted in its editorial the strength of the Qatari economy, pointing to a number of indicators that Qatar continues its progress towards achieving comprehensive development and the transition to a more diversified economy. The paper said that the Qatari economy achieved a real economic growth rate - at constant prices - of 6.3% during the second quarter of 2022, year-on-year. The quarterly GDP at constant prices (real GDP) in Q2 of 2022 stood at QR171.97 billion, compared to QR161.71 billion in the same period of last year. Al-Watan also highlighted Qatar's general budget for the fiscal year 2023 which reflected the State's keenness on stimulating the growth and diversify of its economy, given the high expenditure estimates (199 billion riyals), and directing the surplus estimated at QR29 billion to pay off public debt, support the reserves of Qatar Central Bank, increase the capital of Qatar Investment Authority, and implement more vital projects. The paper noted that Qatar's budget surplus, the highest in the last decade, was ascribed to a 20.8% increase in oil revenues with average oil prices having risen to $65 a barrel, prompting an 16.3% increase in total revenues, compared to the 2022 budget. Al-Watan also pointed to the data issued by the Planning and Statistics Authority which showed that Qatar's foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, recorded a surplus of QR 26.2 billion in November 2022, an increase of about QR 1.7 billion or 6.7% compared to November 2021, and increase by nearly QR 1.1 billion or 4.3% compared to October 2022. Qatari English newspaper The Peninsula underlined that 2022 has been a year full of achievements for Qatar, with the country capping a decade of tireless work with the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Under the headline "A Year of Achievements", The Peninsula said Qatar has been able to stage an exceptional World Cup while preserving, enhancing and taking pride in its identity and values. With Qatar’s huge success, it is no wonder that Qatar 2022 has been voted the best world cup of this century so far, the paper stressed, pointing to an online poll conducted by the BBC, which showed that 78% of the respondents voted for Qatar 2022 as the best compared to the previous five editions held this century. The Peninsula added that Qatar kept up its progress towards achieving comprehensive development and transformation into a knowledge economy, following Qatar National Vision 2030. A lot of progress has been achieved across the sectors including economic diversification, health, education and others. The outgoing year saw the public healthcare system further expand across Qatar with the opening of Aisha bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital, taking public hospitals in the country to 16, in addition to 33 government-run health centers. Private health facilities now stand at 10 hospitals and 390 health centers. Similarly, the education sector has been expanded to 209 public and 334 private schools in the country, the paper added. As 2022 comes to a close, Qatar can be proud of its achievements and progress in the outgoing year and confidently looks forward to a brighter and more prosperous future under the country’s wise leadership, The Peninsula concluded. (QNA)