Oxford, November 07 (QNA) - HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani affirmed that mediation and peacemaking are a necessity for thriving states, as their own security and prosperity are closely tied to the stability of their surroundings and the wider world.

His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar will continue its efforts and engagement with all relevant parties to spare the region another round of escalation, and that addressing core issues through dialogue is the path to lasting security for all.

Speaking at the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom, in a lecture titled "Thriving in a Fractured World: Small States and the New Geography of Global Impact" and followed by a discussion moderated by Sir John Sawers, His Excellency said that small states that have built strong economic foundations and integrated into the global order are directly affected by global stability, and that their ability to contribute to peace and to drive positive change in the course of events places a responsibility on them to take the initiative and act.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the State of Qatar not stood idly by in the face of crises. For nearly two decades, it has engaged in mediation and peacemaking, driven by a firm conviction in the importance of protecting human lives.

In this context, His Excellency recalled the affirmation by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani that mediation efforts are worth pursuing, even if they take a year, provided they help save a single human life, noting that this conviction guides Qatar's approach despite the difficulties and campaigns directed against these efforts.

His Excellency pointed out that the recent conflict in the region, together with the acts of aggression faced by the State of Qatar, has once again underscored the need for the role played by nations like Qatar, adding that the State took the initiative to act despite challenging circumstances and made a substantial contribution to the first round of negotiations, which led to a memorandum of understanding. This, in turn, helped spare the region widespread chaos at a time when the risk of regional escalation was high.

His Excellency added that challenges in implementing the memorandum of understanding had not halted Qatar's efforts. In coordination with regional partners, the State of Qatar continued its intensive efforts to prevent a new wave of escalation, he noted, adding that the Qatari delegation visited Tehran five times in a single week, holding meetings—some lasting 18 to 20 hours—to explore ways to avert renewed confrontation.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that these efforts do not mean that risks have been removed or that security has been achieved, affirming that efforts to contain tensions and prevent escalation remain ongoing, and that communication with the relevant parties has not ceased and will continue.

Regarding engagement with the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, His Excellency explained that collaboration with US administration officials and voices of reason in Tehran had helped prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, pointing to a continued desire to take steps toward a solution and the importance of building on this progress rather than waiting for an ideal agreement that could stand in the way of reaching an accord to de-escalate tensions.

His Excellency further stressed the importance of continued engagement with all parties to bridge differences and ensure that hardline positions do not derail the diplomatic process. He noted that the successful conclusion of the memorandum of understanding demonstrates that progress is possible and a final settlement remains achievable, despite the complexity of the negotiations and the difficult decisions involved.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs warned that another round of military operations would not resolve existing issues, and that region cannot withstand further escalation, having already seen its countries and peoples, together with the Iranian people, pay a heavy price for previous confrontations.

He emphasized that the priority must be to address the nuclear dossier and ensure freedom of navigation and security in the Gulf—issues of vital importance to the region and the wider world.

He explained that the security of the Gulf requires dialogue between the Gulf states and Iran to develop a framework that guarantees the safety of all parties and addresses their respective concerns, stressing that efforts to address Iranian concerns must also address the Gulf states' core security concerns. He added that his communications with the foreign ministers of the states of the region reflect a shared message on the urgent need to end the conflict.

Regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the Palestinian cause remains central to unresolved political issues, noting that the region has lacked stability since October 7, a period marked by war and the expansion of conflict fronts. He added that mediation efforts have faced repeated setbacks due to the Israeli government's positions, its continuous alteration of realities on the ground and its escalating demands.

He underscored that agreements that fail to address fundamental issues—foremost among them withdrawal, the right of the people of Gaza to live a normal life, and the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of their own state—will leave the door open to renewed escalation and expose the entire region to further risks.

His Excellency pointed to the continuing blockade, killings and targeting in the Gaza Strip despite the existence of a ceasefire, noting that more than a thousand people have been killed since that announcement. He added that, in practical terms, all that has been achieved is an agreement for the release of hostages, and that turning this into a genuine ceasefire requires an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of forces and a genuine political horizon for the Palestinians. Otherwise, these crises will inevitably recur.

Regarding the situation in Lebanon, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that shelling continues despite a ceasefire agreement, while the occupation persists with no timeline for withdrawal, in addition to restrictions hindering the Lebanese Armed Forces' operations in the south. He emphasized that acting with a sense of impunity and disregarding international law and the rules-based order expose the entire region to persistent dangers.

His Excellency reaffirmed the importance of dialogue in building sustainable regional security. He recalled the call made by HH the Amir before the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 for serious dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council states and Iran to address the root causes of their differences and their mutual concerns.

His Excellency explained that security arrangements cannot rest on promises alone. They require concrete steps and guarantees against aggression or threat to use force, followed by measures to build trust and expand common interests. His Excellency highlighted the considerable potential for economic cooperation between the Gulf states and Iran after a resolution of the nuclear dossier, given the region's abundant resources and human capital.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that any comprehensive vision for regional security must include a resolution of the Palestinian question and the establishment of a Palestinian state, leading to arrangements in which no party poses a threat to another. He underscored the importance of bringing regional states together to address their concerns and achieve collective security, enabling them to prosper without fear of military escalation or interference in their internal affairs.

His Excellency noted that various security alliances in the region had emerged in response to existing threats and should not become a source of further polarization, expressing confidence that shared interests, combined with visionary leadership capable of taking bold steps, offer opportunities to build a better future for the region's peoples.

His Excellency reviewed the State of Qatar's development of its economic and diplomatic capabilities, noting that its decision to invest in the gas sector in 1995 laid the foundation for its current role in global energy supplies, and that its expanding engagement with the world has been accompanied by the development of its mediation expertise and built relationships of trust with various parties, without seeking to exert hegemony over others.

His Excellency explained that Qatar has worked to institutionalize its mediation experience and strengthen partnerships with nations that share its commitment to peacemaking, noting that, in 2025, Qatar engaged in mediation efforts across approximately 16 files, including prisoner exchanges, ceasefires and broader peace initiatives.

His Excellency also highlighted cooperation with Norway and Switzerland on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and with Spain and Norway concerning Colombia, in addition to the collaboration between Norwegian and Qatari teams during the mediation process in Afghanistan, emphasizing that the integration of various nations' expertise and efforts—despite differences in their political systems and economic models—contributes to achieving tangible results.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed that such cooperation can extend beyond peacemaking to encompass areas like investment and energy, in a way that helps expand the reach of prosperity to other nations, bolsters regional stability and the security of the future for its peoples, and makes a positive contribution to the world. (QNA)