Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, January 12 (QNA) - Local newspapers covered various topics in their Thursday editorials, stressing that the State of Qatar, based on its realization of the importance of multilateral action and its firm position to support the Afghan people and their rights, spares no effort in providing all possible support, whether through its generous financial contributions to support United Nations programs in Afghanistan, conducting urgent relief campaigns, or partnering in sponsoring international conferences to support the Afghan people. In addition, the newspapers stressed the State of Qatar's firm belief in the importance of dialogue based on mutual respect between countries and parties in resolving conflicts, along with its other initiatives to mediate and resolve issues to achieve world peace. Locally, the newspapers praised the successes of the Qatari economy, stressing that the State of Qatar is on the verge of promising foreign investments. The national economy enjoys great global confidence. The prestigious economic reports expect that the State of Qatar will witness strong foreign cash and investment flows in the upcoming period. Al-Sharq newspaper noted HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani's meeting with HE Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina Mohammed, where they reviewed developments in Afghanistan and discussed coordination of efforts between the State of Qatar and the United Nations in Afghanistan. HE highlighted the State of Qatar's commitment to supporting the brotherly Afghan people in light of these difficult humanitarian conditions. The newspaper stressed that the State of Qatar, an active partner in the international community in peacemaking, humanitarian, and development efforts in Afghanistan, does not only express its growing concern about the worsening humanitarian and economic conditions and human rights violations in Afghanistan but is on the frontline of providing humanitarian aid. On all occasions, it provided an air bridge of aid, carried out air transport operations for emergency relief, and hosted in March 2022 a conference in partnership with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Germany, and the United Kingdom to alleviate the suffering of Afghans. Al-Sharq concluded by saying that the State of Qatar, based on its realization of the importance of multilateral action, its constant keenness and firm position on supporting the Afghan people and their rights, spares no effort in providing all possible support to help, whether through its generous financial contributions to support United Nations programs in Afghanistan, urgent relief campaigns, or sponsoring international conferences related to the support of the Afghan people, all of which are appreciated internationally. For its part, Al-Arab newspaper said in its editorial that the State of Qatar reaffirms its firm belief in the importance of dialogue based on mutual respect between countries and parties in resolving conflicts along with its other initiatives in mediating and resolving issues that have extended for many years to achieve world peace. Over the past years, its efforts contributed to resolving many issues between countries and sponsored many peace agreements in various countries. Al-Arab indicated that the Qatari mediation record is full of success. Starting with 2007, Qatar helped with the release of a Palestinian doctor and nurses in Libya, the 2008 Doha agreement for Lebanon, the Darfur Peace Document of 2011, and the armistices between the Palestinian factions and the Israeli occupation, the latest of which was in 2021 and the reconciliation between Djibouti and Eritrea. The reason for Qatar's success is due to its diplomatic capabilities and strong relations with the various parties. In its foreign policy, the State of Qatar adopts the principle of mediation and neutrality towards the various parties in these files, the paper noted. Qatar's efforts at mediation are not limited to establishing peace and reaching peaceful solutions between parties and states, but also to providing humanitarian and relief efforts that extend for years. Its pioneering role in providing development and relief assistance has made a positive impact on the lives of millions of people globally, the paper added. In conclusion, Al-Arab noted that the country has a long record of relief and humanitarian support around the world providing a total support of USD 25 million to the brotherly Islamic Republic of Pakistan before the international conference on Pakistan in Geneva after the devastating floods, based on its commitment to the spirit of solidarity. In its editorial, Al-Raya said that 2022 was the year of Qatari success in terms of economic growth, expansion of strategic partnerships in the field of energy, and the successful organization of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The newspaper noted the data of the Planning and Statistics Authority, which showed that the Qatari economy achieved a real growth rate at constant prices of 4.3 percent during the 3rd quarter of 2022 on an annual basis compared to the same period of 2021, with the GDP reaching about QR 175.028 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2022, compared to the revised estimates for the same period of the year 2021, which amounted to QR 167.782 billion, resulting in an increase of 4.3 percent. The International Monetary Fund's also expects that Qatar's GDP will grow by 4.5 percent this year, making it one of the fastest growing economies in the region. The newspaper pointed out that the Qatari economy was able to overcome all the challenges that faced global economies during the past years, as Qatar worked to lay the foundations for a new phase that contributes to achieving economic diversification, which established its position as one of the strongest regional economies. It stressed that the country is on the verge of promising foreign investments that confirms that the national economy enjoys great global confidence, as economic reports expected that the State of Qatar would witness strong foreign cash and investment flows. Al-Raya concluded by emphasizing that the positive outlook for the Qatari economy will contribute to stimulating the business sector at the local market level, in addition to strengthening the foundations of high confidence among foreign investors, which will enhance the State of Qatar's chances of achieving very high growth indicators that put it at the forefront in terms of economic growth. In turn, the Peninsula newspaper noted that Qatar has made tremendous progress in its food security through significant increase in local production of foodstuffs, enhancing the capacity of its strategic reserves and diversifying its imports sources. In its editorial, the newspaper said that with concerted government efforts and sound planning, the country is in a position to deal with any local or global interruptions in supply chains, adding that Qatar has been able to ensure supply of foodstuffs at prices affordable for all throughout 2022 even as the Russia-Ukraine conflict disrupted grain supply chains to the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere. The country’s plans to ensure safe food for all during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, when the country received around 1.4 million visitors, were also successful. It pointed out that the government is preparing a new national food security strategy for 2023-30 that aimed to expand the strategic food reserves and increase self-sufficiency rate in foodstuffs to deal with emerging challenges in the way of ensuring food security. The newspaper concluded by noting that Qatar is aiming to be among the top 15 countries out of 113 countries listed in the Global Food Security Index, adding that it secured first place among Arab countries and 24th globally in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) 2021, issued by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Al-Watan newspaper said, in its editorial, that more than six dangerous Judaization schemes that affected Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City were revealed. The newspaper said that, according to a report issued by the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments, extremist organizations became active this year through their inflammatory statements and efforts to build the alleged temple. It pointed to the European Union's opposition to Israeli settlements and Israel's demolition of Palestinian facilities in the West Bank, including the city of East Jerusalem. It noted that Israel has been repeatedly reminded of the need to fulfill its obligations under international law, in particular international humanitarian law, towards the Palestinian population in the occupied West Bank. Al-Watan concluded its editorial by saying that the Israeli army usually demolishes Palestinian facilities in areas classified as C, under the pretext of building without a permit, including facilities funded by European Union countries. The Israeli authorities also prevent construction or land reclamation in areas classified as C without permits, which are almost impossible to obtain, the newspaper explained, questioning whether the international community will act and punish the occupation for the daily crimes it commits against the Palestinians. (QNA)