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At UN debate, Emir of Qatar calls for successful outcome to Doha trade talks

At UN debate, Emir of Qatar calls for successful outcome to Doha trade talks

Sheikh bin Khalifa of Qatar
The Emir of Qatar today called for action to achieve a successful outcome to the Doha round of trade talks during an address today to the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate.

The Emir of Qatar today called for action to achieve a successful outcome to the Doha round of trade talks during an address today to the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate.

“While we are concerned abut the deadlock in the ongoing consultations on the implementation of the Doha Development Agenda, we hope we would be able to put that phase behind us and that all parties concerned, especially the developed countries, would show enough flexibility to reach mutually beneficial, practical results,” said Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

Turning to regional issues, he said the Security Council, by last month’s resolution 1770 on Iraq, “has partly restored to the United Nations its rightful role in addressing Iraq’s tragedy after it has been proven that it is no longer possible for that matter to remain confined to one State or an alliance of States.”

At the same time, he noted that the current situation in Iraq must be addressed not only by the international community but also the country itself. “The main responsibility rests with the leaders of the Iraqi people, who are primarily responsible for hammering out a formula of national reconciliation that ensures justice, peace and security and preserves the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq.”

He emphasized that the world’s major conflicts cannot be handled by any one power. “Addressing them should be assigned to the United Nations as it constitutes the political embodiment of the international community’s principles, laws and broad aspirations to peace-building and achieving progress.”