The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said that Qatar was able to overcome the consequences of the blockade and contain its negative effects, and all claims of the blockade countries have collapsed, stressing the remarkable progress in the economic situation and the qualitative leap in the gas production sector in the country.
Sheikh Tamim inaugurated this morning the 48th ordinary session of the Qatari Shura Council, which is convened after issuing an Emiri decree establishing a higher committee to prepare for the Shura Council elections.
The Emir of Qatar reviewed several projects and policies that have shown how to overcome the effects of the blockade towards Qatar 2030 vision. He also pointed out that the country is on track to achieve a quantum leap in gas production. Sheikh Tamim also revealed that the large deficit that occurred in the budget last year turned into a surplus this year.
Sheikh Tamim stressed that Qatar, since the beginning of the blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt on June 5, 2017, has expressed its willingness to dialogue on the basis of respect for sovereignty and not dictate policies and interference in internal affairs. The Emir also noted that the Gulf region is witnessing events that threaten our security and require dialogue as a fundamental solution.
On foreign issues, the Emir of Qatar said that peace in the Middle East can only be achieved by resolving the Palestinian issue, and stressed the need for national reconciliation in Libya.
On Wednesday, Sheikh Tamim issued an Emiri decree to form a higher committee headed by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and a number of ministers and specialists to prepare for the elections of the Council.
The council currently has 45 members, two-thirds of whom are elected by direct, secret and universal suffrage, while the emir appoints the state's 15.