The US-Taliban peace pact signed on February 29 in Doha is really a ray of hope in view of the various long-running conflicts, which remain unsolved for decades, in the region and around the world. After all, it puts spotlight on the brilliant Qatari mediation and also highlights the role Qatar can play to resolve various global disputes to spread the message of peace around the world.
The success story of Qatari mediation is not an isolated incident as the great nation already has a track record of being an effective peacemaker in the past.
Qatar’s mediation efforts get the backing of its foreign policy, which is based on a set of principles. These principles include strengthening international peace and security by encouraging the peaceful resolution of international disputes. Qatar’s foreign policy respects and honours all international treaties and conventions to which it is a party. One of the major priorities of Qatar’s foreign policy is mediating disputes between conflicting parties to achieve peaceful resolutions. Qatar believes in building alliances and finding solutions to conflicts through dialogue and mediation, while respecting the rights of sovereign nations.
The statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the wake of this landmark development is enough to understand the great perspective the nation closely embraces. The statement said: “It was easy to spark wars and crises, but difficult to engage in constructive diplomacy.” The statement also viewed the deal as an important step towards resolving all of the world’s crises peacefully.
Qatar played a crucial role in making this peace treaty a reality and without these Qatari efforts it wouldn’t have become a reality this fast. Qatar’s unwavering quest for peace was witnessed throughout the mediation efforts.
According to a report by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar has mediated nearly 10 regional and international portfolios in less than eight years (2008 – 2016). This figure clearly indicates the effectiveness of Qatar’s mediation efforts.
Qatar firmly believes that mediation is the effective way of solving disputes and the nation reiterated its commitment to mediation to settle disputes in various regional and international platforms. Even when the neighbours imposed an unjust blockade, Qatar continued its policy consistent with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and international law and working to settle disputes and conflicts by peaceful means. There are many unsolved conflicts around the world, where the unique Qatari expertise can bring some positive change.
