Paris / Information Office /June 12  

HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani stressed Monday that the State of Qatar still does not know the reasons that prompted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Bahrain to Boycott it. His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar does not accept any dictations from abroad when it comes to taking measures against the illegal blockade enforced on Qatar.

HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani was speaking at a press conference held in Paris and said that the State of Qatar is ready for a dialogue based on principles that respect international law. His Excellency stressed that dialogue is the strategic choice of the State of Qatar.

HE the Foreign Minister added that, so far, there was no European mediation to resolve the crisis that came in the aftermath of the three countries' boycott. Instead, there is European and American support to the State of Kuwait's mediation efforts. HE the Foreign Minister stressed that the State of Qatar does not interfere in the internal affairs of the three boycotting countries. His Excellency added that Qatar also does not accept foreign dictations as well, noting that Doha rejects discussing any matter related to Al Jazeera channel as it considers it an internal affair.

Responding to some of the accusations that were used as a pretext for severing ties with the country, HE the Foreign Minister said that the State of Qatar does not support the Muslim Brotherhood or Hamas. His Excellency added that Qatar deals only with governments, pointing to Egypt and Tunisia as two examples.

His Excellency also noted that Qatar supports the rebuilding of the Gaza strip and supports the Palestinian national unity government. HE the Foreign Minister then stressed that Hamas was a resistance movement, with the State of Qatar dealing with it just like it deals with any other Palestinian group.

On Iran, HE the Foreign Minister said that Qatar does not have a stronger cooperation with Tehran compared to other GCC members. His Excellency highlighted that the UAE was Iran's second-largest trading partner.

His Excellency added that there were many contradictions in the statements and allegations made by the three GCC countries, stressing that Doha has the right to demand proof of such allegations that led to the boycott.